Life, Love, and Patience

I was a bridesmaid in my sister’s wedding almost 10 years ago and I am honored to be a bridesmaid in one of my closest friend’s wedding in September. Becky and I have been friends since middle school and I have to say I predicted she would date and marry her fiancé a very long time ago (Insert wink). The date is set. The venue is booked. My bridesmaid dress arrived a few weeks ago. Pretty much, things are falling into place. All the excitement I feel for her big day got me to thinking about seasons of life and love.

I won’t bore you with all the details of my past relationships or lack there of (today that is).  I will say that past experiences have shaped my idea of what I think a relationship should look like. I was the girl who settled. The girl who thought with her heart and not her head. The girl who didn’t realize her worth and her choices were a reflection of that. Each and every silly decision I have ever made when it comes to a relationship has reminded that God’s love can never be matched. I’ve learned that there is no need to chase someone or settle for parts of someone. There is a season for everything and sometimes impatience gets in the way of remembering that. The beautiful thing about seasons is that they change and God’s word says that He will never withhold any good thing from His children.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under the heaven.

Psalms 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor, no good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

I can think of situations I’ve been in where God literally stepped in at the right time and because of His timing I could only give Him thanks. Why wouldn’t that be the same for a relationship? Why give our heart to just anybody? Why waste time? Why fill imaginary voids? If and when I find myself in a relationship I want to know that it has meaning and purpose and when that time comes I hope and pray that I am in a good place to receive it. (Philippians 4:11)

A woman’s heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her. – Maya Angelou

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve heard someone recite this quote by Maya Angelou. It speaks of being “found” but I don’t think enough emphasis is put on being “hidden in Christ.” Hidden is defined as “kept out of sight” or “concealed.” Seek is defined as “attempt to find” or “be in quest of.” For me, hidden in Christ does not mean perfection because that is a mark no one will ever meet. What it does mean is that we ought to consciously seek God everyday of our lives. Simply put, God wants our hearts and He wants to be our first love. Let us learn to love Him and everything else will fall in place. God knows your heart, your hopes, your desires and we can trust that He knows what we need, who we need, and when we need it. Don't stress over the how and the when. Be patient. Stay prayerful. Remember that God has and never will break one of His promises to you!

K R Y S T L E