Love is..... Blog series.

Growing up without stability seemed normal until I became an adult. I didn't grow up in a traditional home with both parents and never had anyone who was consistent in my life to raise me up. People came and went just as seasons changed. Some people had cold hearts and didn't have positive intentions. Others were amazing with beautiful warm hearts who really helped me in ways ill never forget. I grew up staying all over the place and never understood what love was because I was caught up in a system of only receiving services. I never stayed in a place long enough to develop deep meaningful relationships and that caused me to believe that people simply came to provide a resources that would meet basic needs and that was it. To me... That was love!

I stayed in many facilities and went to a different school each year and that caused me to meet so many amazing people. I desired long term friendships, but I always knew in my heart that there would always have to be a “Goodbye”. I developed a hard exterior and began to show little emotion because I didn't want to become too attached. I remained sweet and loving on the inside and friendly because as I never wanted anyone to feel rejected. I made up my mind at the age of 16 that because I come into contact with so many people, I would use the time spent with others to inspire and fuel them. I had become a servant and gave them what I desired the most. I became a listening ear, kind, concerned about the future of others and someone who saw the all of the amazing qualities, skills and pure heart in every individual.

Years passed and I continued to pour out but I wasn't refueld. I knew that God lived in my heart but I wasn't aware of how to exactly tap into him and grow spiritually. I Joined an amazing church called The Sanctuary movement and that's where my Pastor taught me how to truly worship, communicate deeply with God and grow in my spiritual gifts. Although I was growing rapidly, I still wasn't able to fully receive God's love because I still had that hard exterior. I worked and worked for the kingdom and I followed ”the rules” but I still hadn't allowed the LOVE of God to enter into my heart. If I couldn't receive God's love, how could I ever receive love from others. That led me to understand that if I couldn't fully receive God's love, then I could never truly love others just as God loves them BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THEIR LOVE IS BEING RECEIVED!

I made a decision to allow God to truly love me so that I could love others in the same exact way. Growing up without any examples of what love was, I was forced to find instruction in God’s word. I started with a very popular but profound scripture, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7. Over the course of 7 days beginning on 8/1/2016, we will dig into God’s word and learn what love really consist of. I pray that this grows you in a way that teaches you how to completely receive God's love and to strategically love others just the way God loves you.

Schedule

Day 1. Love is Patient, Love is Kind.

Day 2. It does not envy, it does not boast, is not proud.

Day 3. It does not dishonor others, It is not self-seeking.

Day 4. It is'nt easily angered, It keeps no record of wrong.

Day 5. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Day 6. It always protects, always trusts.

Day 7. Always hopes, always preserves.

Love, Taylor J.