Love is knocking at my door

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” —I Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

  I'm sure we've all heard these infamous words spoken at numerous wedding ceremonies, but have you ever thought about what they mean? There is so much depth to this scripture that I can't even contain my excitement! We have been given the guidelines to a perfect love. Who better to instruct us on how to love than the one who showed us the greatest love of all? 

  "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." When you experience true love, these characteristics will be present. He won't be someone who is arrogant, rude or pushy. Chivalric will be his middle name and he will wear kindness and humbleness on his sleeve. "It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong." I don't think you truly understand the definition of self-less until you've fallen in love with someone. If I give up my Zaxby's toast for you or shopping money..it's got to be true love. That's the real indicator! A Godly couple isn't the one is sitting on different sides of the room because they're angry at each other. They're the ones sitting side by side with angry faces! While everyone has their arguments, not everyone handles them the same way.  Forgiveness is key in whatever you do. Sometimes, it's even harder with the one you love but it's oh so important. Maybe that's why our divorce rate is so high, because we can't forgive each other. "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. LOVE NEVER FAILS. " 

  I can only describe to you these things because I, now, have experienced this true love and can personally tell you there's nothing better. God has done some amazing works in my life but this, I believe tops them all. Nothing has EVER or will EVER bring me the joy that I have everyday. Knowing that someone's day is made simply because I'm breathing, knowing that someone is willing to do anything for me, and knowing I have another person who loves me unconditionally. I can't begin to describe to you the happiness I feel on a daily basis. I truly believe this is exactly what God wanted, He didn't just send his only son to die for nothing. He sent Him so we could be forgiven, so we could experience things like this. I'm just so happy I've found someone who can give me all this, while try to catch up. 

 I hope everyone finds this love.It's the one Christmas present I would give everyone if I could. Because after you feel something like this, you don't even care about Christmas presents. okay..well maybe if it's the new Lilly Resort Collection...but it's still a close tie! Just kidding!  I am a strong believer that God has created an individual for each of us, and it's just our job to find him/her. And the best part is, a lot of the time God does that part too, we just have to keep our eyes peeled! I think we can love another person other than our soul mate, but we'll never have the kind of love like we're meant to have. You'll never have someone you hate leaving, someone you can't get enough of, someone you stand amazed by. You'll never have that connection or passion God created for you. I'm so happy I've found mine and I hope everyone else finds theirs. But, I think a lot of times, the problem isn't that we don't find them, rather we "think we've found them." That's where we run into the issue of infatuation versus love. What's the difference? 

Here ya go: 

 Infatuation

• Sees the other person as perfect
• Wants to get own needs met; selfish
• Spends all time with the other person
• Quickly “falls” for the other person
• Other relationships and friendships deteriorate
• Dependence on the other person causes jealousy frequently
• Lasts for a short period of time
• Distance strains and often puts an end to the relationship
• Quarrels are serious and common
• Quarrels can seriously damage the relationship

Love

• Sees the other person’s flaws and still loves them
• Wants to serve the other person; selfless
• Still spends time with others
• Takes time to build the relationship
• Other relationships and friendships grow stronger
• Trust and understanding results in less severe and less frequent jealousy
• Encompasses a long-term commitment
• Survives and sometimes is strengthened because of distance
• Quarrels are less serious and less often
• Quarrels can strengthen the relationship

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Where do you stand? Are you still in search for God's match for you? Pray that he sends you a sign. Are you with someone who you're just infatuated with, but not in love with, not the one who you're meant to be with? Pray that God opens your eyes a little wider. It may be that guy who sits beside you in Anatomy but you've just been too caught up to see it. Or maybe you're like me and you've been so blessed to have already found that final missing detail to your Southern Living wedding. Ask God into your relationship. It's just as important as it was to ask Him into your heart. Because, this is going to be your life and you should be ecstatic about that! Happy hunting!

xoxoxo,
the exhausted girl in pajamas