TOPAZ HORIZON

Lots of people are buying baby bunnies this Easter for their kids. Instead, parents should be telling their kids that rabbits or colored eggs have nothing to do with the season. This is the perfect time to tell them about God's love for us--how God sent His only Son to die for our sins, and how this Son, Jesus, overcame sin and death so that we may be saved.

It's the greatest story ever told and yet we choose to tell them silly stories about egg hunts and rabbits. Worse, we buy them rabbits which, by the way, make the most horrible pets for kids. Yes! I'm a rabbit owner and it took me quite some time (and a bit of shock) to learn how to live with these animals. 

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and today is my husband's birthday. Needless to say, I get very excited this time of the year. This Valentine's, we surprised each other with secret gifts. It's so much fun to be in love! Oh, but it's so much better when you're in love with the same person for a long time now.

I met Vince when I was just 22. Now I'm 31. I love him more now, more than I ever thought I am capable. Nine years ago, I was a different girl. Even one year ago, I was different. Every day I become a better person because of Vince's love for me. His love envelopes me, covers me, calms me, strengthens me, guides me, inspires me... Though I have always felt complete (God is the one who ultimately overflows from my soul), having Vince in my life is incredible joy.

Of course, not every relationship is perfect. But I'm glad that we're both writers. We are excellent communicators so nothing is ever left unresolved. We know exactly how to express our feelings and hurts and hopes and disappointments and expectations. We know how to talk to each other. I am grateful for such a huge blessing--that he and I are talkers! Now, the listening part, well, that always needs work (haha) but we do end up listening to each other and then a new day for Vince and me begins. A new Vince. A new me. A new love.
So now here's a little secret. Use it and your love will grow and be incredible! In our relationship, this chapter from the Bible has always helped. It's been used so often at weddings (it was read in mine) but never fully explained and perhaps understood. But it isn't corny; in fact, it holds the secret and the power to any relationship--be it marriage, friendship or family. Just replace the word "love" with your name and then feel your love transformed as you strive to be the embodiment of love.

"Frances is patient, Frances is kind.
Frances does not envy, Frances does not boast, Frances is not proud.
Frances is not rude, Frances is not self-seeking, Frances is not easily angered, Frances keeps no record of wrongs.
Frances does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Frances always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Frances never fails."
(a modified version of I Corinthians 13:4-8)

Yep, sounds impossible! And me?! Oh, how hard it is for me to be patient and kind, to be humble and meek, to be considerate, to be selfless and generous, to be tolerant, to forgive! But this truly is the secret to any happy relationship. Whenever I feel like giving up, I just remember this chapter. I remember that if I love this person, I must not fail him or her. That's what love ultimately means.

Happy love day, everybody! And may you all love and be loved!

"There was so much ignorance and so much ego and so much disdain for living a principled life, and now I realize that there is so much power in those principles about just being humble, just being honest, just having real faith."