first time

I went to church yesterday... for the first time.  Ever.  I have been a believer my whole life, always known God and always had a relationship with Him.  As a child we didn't go to church and after I got married, we (as a couple) did not go to church.  After having children I found a wonderful group through the church where we meet twice a month for fellowship.  I still didn't attend Sunday's service.  I had many excuses but then I realized fear was what was holding me back.  I knew I wanted to get there but being the insecure person that I am, I didn't want to go alone.  I tried many times to get my husband to go but it never worked out.  So today a good friend of ours, Jessica, came with me.  It was awesome!  My only regret is that I wish I would have started going sooner.  It was a beautiful service, the music touched me, the pastor is wonderful, the message spoke to me, and best of all I left feeling full.  Today's message was love.  One of my favorite!

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; loves 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 and endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4

My sister and I read this at my brothers wedding 12 years ago without really completely  knowing what it all meant.  We were 21 at the time and I was still in the stage of figuring out who I was.  I thought I knew love but the love I thought I knew was not the love this verse speaks of.  Having true love and experiencing love from deep within, I get it now.  It is not lust, a feeling, it is love, a lifestyle.  I can honestly say for the last 11 years with Anthony, it has been the easiest relationship ever.  I am in a happy marriage because we are patient with each other; we speak kind to each other; we are not jealous, instead we encourage and support each other's accomplishments.  We know we are imperfect; we act and speak with love and gratitude towards each other; we know that with God, all things can be worked through with a good result.

We also touched on the 5 Love Languages.
~Words of affirmation
~Quality Time
~Physical Touch
~Acts of Service
~Receiving Gifts
I read the book a few months ago with really high hopes of learning how to speak directly to my husband in his own love language.  When I finished the book I was actually more confused.  I thought I knew my language and I thought I knew his.  It turns out we both have 2 equal languages but not the same ones.  We both need to learn each other's language.  Learning a new language as an adult can be difficult but the end result is so worth it.

I got lucky with this guy I married.  I thank God everyday for providing me with such a blessing.
Tomorrow is Valentines day, a day that gives us another reason to celebrate our love for each other.  I know a lot of people feel like the day is overly commercialized but we look at it as an extra special day to make a point of expressing love.


Linking up where my cup is 1/2 full