Sacrificial Love

I've been sick with what I was beginning to think was West Nile Virus or Malaria for about a week now. Web MD says it's allergies. Whatever. Anyway, I've spent more than a few hours lying around with nothing to do but think (and I've taken my allergy medicine). So, here are some ponderings I wanted to share here:

First, sacrificial love is really hard. Not with strangers; it's pretty easy to love strangers...they haven't had enough time to bug me yet. On the other hand, most people I've known for more than an hour or so have said or done something or other that wasn't pleasant in my estimation. It seems that the longer we know people, the harder it becomes to love sacrificially. Then again, I guess we really can't call it "sacrificial" love if it isn't difficult for us. Maybe sacrificial love is more an act of ongoing forgiveness than anything else.

Next, I am convinced that I will see my dog in Heaven. If you disagree, I don't want to hear about it. If Jesus can ride around on a white horse up there, I can chase Tucker down the Streets of Gold.

And if giving up alcohol is 1/100th as difficult as me giving up Diet Coke, I absolutely tip my hat in total respect to those of you who have fought the battle of alcoholism and remain sober. I refuse to make light of it. I know the artificial sweeteners are really bad for me, especially since I'm prone to depression. Still, I find myself giving into the craving at least once a week; even more often than that if I'm being honest. What I need to do is focus on relieving stress in some other way...it is definitely used as a comfort device for me.

Finally, I am so grateful to the Lord for His miraculous provision in my life over the past year. From even before I was diagnosed with depression, He was placing tools to aid my healing before me on this path. I look back and see how I discovered Scentsy in a doctor's office when I went for further testing regarding the chest pain I was experiencing. As heart disease was ruled out, a tool to help me move forward was introduced in the waiting room. One of countless gifts facing depression has brought into my life.

When things look dark, look around for the light God is shining on your path. If you are His child, He's there. He loves us enough to throw us life vests before we even know we're drowning. Before we have time to ask, He knows what is going on and how it is going to turn out. He knows exactly how to refine us in any given situation. And even when we don't acknowledge Him, He is reaching out to us. We get into deeper trouble because we don't reach out to Him. Man, he loves us; even though we don't deserve it.

Sacrificial Love.

Jesus blows my mind and humbles me yet again. Yes, Lord; yes.