Throughout my life I have not used the word love. In the past, I was hesitant to tell people I loved them because I didn’t understand exactly what love meant. I didn’t understand how Christians could love everyone they meet. How Christians could love people they didn’t know well or people they had never met. I remember sitting at coffee with a friend in college who went on and on about how she loved all the girls she had met and wanted the best for them. My response was confusion. I had always thought you are just going to hate some people in life. Some people annoy you or don’t deserve your love. I thought she was naïve and crazy for saying she loved everyone.
But God is love. God can transform our hearts to love those who wrong us, to love a country of people we didn’t know existed, or to love people after spending just a few hours with them. God is love. God’s love is not defined by circumstance. God’s love allows us to give graciously to strangers. God’s love gives us grace for those who don’t deserve our love. God’s love is beautiful. God’s love is perfect.
I want to be a woman who shows God’s love. I want to be a woman who serves people. A woman who is moved with compassion for those around her. A woman who is wise and brings people together. A woman who pushes people into greatness gently. A woman who serves people through Christ’s love and puts herself second. A woman who is disciplined with her time and generous with her resources. God has slowly changed my heart and allowed me to have more compassion for those around me. He has softened my heart and helped me to understand this precious word, Love. Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not boast and is not envious. But love is also honest and tough. Love calls people into greatness and doesn’t allow people to sit in sufferings. Love helps push people into the potential they have buried deep inside. Love is a great thing that brings connection and propels us forward. Love pushes us to action.
I want to thank every person who has given financially to my trip. I am happy to report that I am fully funded. Through various monthly donors, one time gifts, and anonymous donations, I have raised $16,000. I love to see how God provides for those who serve him. I have always been fearful of relying on others for fundraising but I have been shown year after year that I am supported. So thank you!
Thank you to those who have dedicated time each day, week, or month, to pray for me. Your prayers have been heard by God and he is transforming me. God is showing me that he loves me, cares for me, provides for me, has a beautiful world for me to explore, and has a plan for my life. God has been teaching me how to apologize to others, care for the world, encourage believers, be quiet and listen, and continue to smile no matter where I sleep and what I eat. Thank you for your prayers!
