For you, Lord.

I'm growing a pretty amazing reputation. I will soon be the most sought after man on this planet by females. Why, you may ask?

The last 3 women I've dated all started seeing someone new within 3 months of our break up, and then became engaged within 6 months.

I'll call the post office tomorrow to set up a P.O. Box. You may begin sending applications when you believe you're about a year away from marriage.

Requirements...
1) Must be 20 or older
2) Must be a Christian stronger in faith than I at the time
3) Must have an old interest or ex-boyfriend you're on good terms with
4) Must be involved somehow in education

Love kicked the shit out of me tonight. But I know it's aiding my growth process and ultimately for my benefit.

His will, His way.
Amen.

I just concluded watching the endearing and enjoyable movie "Love Actually". A couple lines I thought especially well said were delivered by the youngest character Sam...

Talking to his stepdad before telling his crush he loves her...

"Let us go get the shit kicked out of us by love."

His stepdad questioning him because he's concerned about why Sam has been acting odd...

His dad: "Oh, OK, right. Well, I'm a little relieved."
Sam: "Why?"
His dad: "Well, you know - I thought it might be something worse."
Sam: "Worse than the total agony of being in love?"
His dad: "Oh. No, you're right. Total agony."

Those are CLASSIC lines! I cannot tell you how many times love kicked the shit out of me and I laid in bed unable to sleep because I was overcome with agony.

Anyone yet to experience the numbing sensation of your insides being ripped out and thrown on the floor alongside your shredded heart for you to stare and gape at, then trampled over by a herd of elephants...well, your time is coming.

Likewise, anyone yet to experience the most simplistic "sigh" of comfort, induced by the warmth of the one you've coveted for X number of months/years wrapped within your arms, the delicate wisps of breath that brush along your neck as s/he sleeps, or the inability to concentrate amongst a swarm of chaos on anything besides her/his touch upon a single square inch of your forearm...well, your time too is coming.

Friends, enjoy the agony and elation of love. They are gifts from the Lord to prepare you for the one He has chosen especially for you. His chosen one will enter your life on His timing; however, I strongly believe His timing will fail to arise until you have fastened your security solely in Him in order to endure the emotions love brings forth. As our young elementary-age friend Sam eloquently reminds us, love is not easy.

I know for myself that because I have experienced the emotions of love I am more able to understand, appreciate, and demonstrate truly mature love...love inspired by the Lord.

I know this because I love and if not for my previous experiences I would be a wreck. I am humbled daily by this love, and the Lord is using it to soften my heart, force me upon my knees, and continually knead into me the character of a man capable of glorifying Him.

My growth is evidenced in that I believe I am currently content in love, daily enduring the "agony", due to the magnitude I love God. Life experiences have helped me understand the other side of emotions; once they dissipate I see with clarity the growth to which I was ignorant, the compassion He felt toward me as He disciplined, and the reward I will reap on His timing.

I am without doubt or regard for my physical self thankful for the way He is working in my life. Through the frustrations, anguish, joy, contentment, peaks and valleys, there is no mountain I would rather be living upon today than this. I am here for a reason, although the doubt from my past will surely plague me in the future.

If you can, please pray my attitude remains the same, I do not act on emotion alone, and I continue to endure with humility and patience the growth He is pouring into me.

God Bless.