Lessons fr 2006

seems to me that 2007 took off without me... i did not return to reality until the second week of the month, and already we are past the midway point of this month. i find myself still wishing people a Happy New Years and finalizing my New Years Resolutions. every year I make them... and as I was thinking about them this year, i reflected for more than a few moments on 2006...

The lesson of LOVE kept resurfacing last year... evident in my most recent entries...

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." I Corinthians 13:4-7

"Be imitators of God, therfore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1,2

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" Matthew 5: 46, 47

Patient: wow was my patience tested last year... and boy was my own sin revealed to me.
Kind: i always thought i was a pretty kind person, but apparently God showed me otherwise.
Envy: God has blessed me, there's no doubt about that... however, i realized that subconsciously i have envied people for the intellect, their opportunities, and even that God has given them a larger lot.
Boast/proud: fine line between humility and confidence, and that fine line is different for everybody.
Rude: I never thought that "not being rude" could equate to Love... love does not necessarily have to be something active, it can be passive too. I guess when I'm waiting in line and someone cuts in front of me, instead of being rude back, I learn to let it go... or at least confront the situation with grace.
Self-seeking: Matthew 5: 46,47
Not easily angered: my temper is tried the most with my family.
Keeps no record of wrong: Last year, or was it the year before, I came up with the "Three Strikes You're OUT" policy... not an original name, but a policy to protect myself from getting hurt by the ignorance or insensitivity of people I called my friends. Basically, if someone hurt me three times in someway for whatever reason, I would consciously take a step back from that friendship. A bit harsh? Oh yes, but at the time, I really thought that I was protecting my heart, my energy, and my time. I have learned how wrong I was just a year or two ago. Also, God is so good to us... When I am willing to lay down my grudge, He sure humors me!
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres: just so beautiful!

There is so much more to unconditional love than I could learn in a lifetime. WOW!