More than a box of chocolates and a dozen roses....

More than a box of chocolates and a dozen roses….

We know the fairytale all too well. We have been taught the things to look for, and until that prince charming comes to sweep you and me off our feet, we wait patiently.

Oh wait, maybe not. Dare I say, perhaps, we may have been going about this “relationship” thing entirely wrong? Granted, social media isn’t doing us any favors in this department. Each and every day, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter privilege us to witness perks of these seemingly “cookie cutter” relationships. It looks good. It looks fun. It seems romantic. And I’m not saying it isn’t. There’s nothing wrong with the sweet parts of a relationship. However, it becomes a problem when that is the goal of a relationship. Furthermore, it becomes a problem when these pictures create an expectation in a relationship.

When it comes down to it, a relationship is a partnership. It’s so easy to get caught in the Disney trap of expecting instant love through locked eyes, or joy from frivolous gifts. In reality, a healthy relationship is a blessing from God meant to encourage and strengthen you daily.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Furthermore, relationships are meant to be a reflection of Christ’s great love for us. In a partnership, many characteristics that Jesus exemplified are the glue that holds a couple together.

Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

As the scripture displays, love is about so much more than a box of chocolates and a dozen roses. In fact, I’m pretty sure it wasn't mentioned in there ;). Unlike social media, Disney, and other sources, the Bible sets the stage for a true, uplifting relationship. When we begin to grasp the meaning of Christ’s love, we are more capable of understanding the purpose and beauty of a human relationship.

I encourage you to remind yourself of what a relationship truly entails the next time you come across a seemingly ideal “love” trap. Each and every relationship we have, intimate or not, is a blessing. Instead of drooling over what you “could have,” try to cherish and learn from your relationships. After all, the greatest love any man could ever have has already been given.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him Psalm 103:11

For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Until next time,

-Tamara

What Are You Rooted In?

What Are You Rooted In?

 

The world is crumbling all around you as the wind begins to shake you, and you are forced to hold tight; hold tight to the ground you so hastily rooted yourself in.  You look towards the sky and begin to wonder, “Is the foundation strong enough? Can I make it through this storm?” Unfortunately, many times we find ourselves to be amidst a storm in our lives before we have even thought to build a solid foundation. Just like it is important for a tree to have strong, deep roots in good soil, it is essential that we choose to root our lives fully in things that will keep us firm in the middle of a crisis.

The truth: What you choose to root yourself in (the soil) is the first step in determining your strength amidst a storm.

¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11

The Rock: His works are perfect, and the way he works is fair and just; A God you can depend upon, no exceptions, a straight-arrow God. His messed-up, mixed-up children, his non-children, throw mud at him but none of it sticks. Deuteronomy 32:4 MSG

Continuously throughout the Bible, Christ is referred to as “The Rock,” and “Cornerstone.” These words are simply illustrations of the strength and stability that God possesses, and signify what He can provide us with when we build our foundation in Him. When we make the choice to surrender our lives to Christ, He is the Rock we can lean on in the midst of even the strongest storm.

The truth: The things you choose to surround yourself with have the power to nourish or deteriorate your foundation.

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 2 Peter 3:17

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

As these verses describe, the people you choose to allow into your life can either strengthen you, or lead you astray. It is essential that we are careful with what and who we allow into our lives, as it will spill into many other areas; thus building us up, or tearing us down.

The truth: A solid foundation paired with a healthy/encouraging environment will precede stability in the challenges/storms ahead.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

Just as the wise man in the story had to be intentional about building his house on a firm foundation, we must also be intentional about where and what we root our lives in. Are you rooted in things that strengthen and encourage you, or are you ingrained in destructive things that tear you down?

Until next time,

-Tamara