2010::Satisfied

If you know me, then you know that I am a Texan through and through. And thus, I am a lover of all things country music. My time in Lubbock has been such a time of trial; God has really used this time to stretch me, to think about loneliness in a different way, to rely on Him.

One of the graces that He has brought to sustain me is this delightful little country station known as “God’s Country.” It’s kinda like KLOVE in the sense that it’s a national Christian station operated through the support of listeners. And can I just tell you how wonderful it is? There’s nothing like Carrie Underwood’s version of “How Great Thou Art” to turn my heart back to the majesty of our Great God. And when I need a little pick-me-up, God sends a little “Keep on the Sunny Side” to remind me of the power of joy.

Well there’s a song on there by Jewel called “Satisfied.” It’s such a beautiful message about the power of Love. Here is the video, so listen to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArAlk3yf5hI&feature=player_embedded

Some lyrics that stand out to me:
“So many things to do, so little love gets done.”
“If we want love, it’s not that tough, start by givin’ it first.”
“We were born. to. love.”

Gosh, I just love it! (Pun intended!) =D

But here’s the thing, this song speaks so deeply to me b/c it’s one of my hardest struggles: loving unconditionally. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the Greatest Commandment is also one of the hardest to live out (Matt. 22:37-8, Mark 12:30-1, Luke 10:27, John 13:34-5).

So you’re probably wondering, why all this talk about love?  Valentine’s Day was yesterday!  Well, here’s why.

Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, every year, I pick a Bible verse to be my “verse of the year”. Well, in 2010, the Holy Spirit pointed my heart to 1 Cor. 16:14…”you’re every act should be done with LOVE.”
Wow. If I had only known the trials I would face this past year trying to live out that verse. Guess the HG wanted to teach me to put my money where my mouth is, if you will. Today, I was reflecting on the past year, and I find myself reveling in the way God stretches us. For me, He taught me more about my imperfections and desperate need for my Savior through a simple verse that could be missed in the blink of an eye. In so many ways, I’m so very thankful that 2010 is done and gone. It was a hard, challenging year, but one that did teach me about the importance of love.

St. John Vianney once said, “This is the glorious duty of man: that your pray and that you love.”

Simple.
Profound.
Absolutely challenging.

So as we continue through this year on this beautiful Journey, I’m renewed with anticipation. I love beginnings. They remind me that He makes all things new again. A new year, to be better lovers of the Greatest Love of All.

I pray that 2011 is full of blessings, those known and unknown, and that our Jesus teaches us to love more fully, more deeply, more genuinely. B/c loneliness, pain, and sorrow may stir us up, but great friends, LOVE never fails.