Love

"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." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

I am so excited, because this week is going to be a very special week for me! I will be getting married this Saturday. I am very greatful that God has blessed me with a wonderful man in my life. I am very thankful for my future husband , because he is my best friend, he is compassionate, and loving. He has been there for me, during the hardest times in my life and has not left my side through those hard times. Before I met him my concept of true love was jaded. I never understood how true love is unconditional and loves at all times regardless of circumstances or current feelings. He has shown me what unconditional love really means. Thank- you baby for always being by my side and for treating me so good. I am very hopful and am looking foward to seeing what God has in store for our lives.

Recently, I have been reading scriptures on the marriage to get insight into what God will expect for me as a wife. I know that married life will not be perfect or easy,but I am feel truly blessed that God has blessed me with a wonderful companion to share my life with. I will be posting some of the bible scriptures I found on marriage. Whether you are engaged, married, or single and hope to find that special someone God has for you, I encourage you to read these bible verses on marriage. Pray and reflect on them.

"Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Gen 2:22-24

" Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD." Proverbs 19:14

"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Matthew 19:4-6

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies" Proverbs 31:10

"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By thisis love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4: 16-19

"Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." Colossians 3: 18-19

"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." Ephesians 5:22-23

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken " Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Prayer Box

"Don't worry about everything instead pray in everything and tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6 NIV

There have been many instances in my life, when I have been called a "worry wart." There are some days when I sit and worry about things that are ridiculous to even worry about. I know that all this excessive worrying  will bring nothing but negative results in my life (anxiety, lack of sleep, panic attacks, health problems etc). However I have been making excuses for my constant worry wart behavior. "Worrying runs in my family, I have lived my life this way for a long time, I can't control the my thoughts, It's just my personality." ( My list of excuses runs on and on just like my list of worries.) However, I want to change my worry wart behavior. Deep down I know that every fear I have contradicts my  faith in God and every worry I have shows I do not have as much faith in God as I would like to.

Last night I found my prayer box. I had made this box in a bible study art class I took in 2008. Basically, the concept of the prayer box is to decorate a box. Then every time you are worried about something or have a prayer request you put it in the prayer box. It is a symbolic way of placing your worries and burdens in God's hands.

Last night I began re-reading many of the prayer requests I had written in the box. As I read the prayers I was in awe of how God had answered many of the prayers that I thought were nearly impossible for him to answer. I was also grateful that God had not granted many of the prayers I prayed but rather had a better plan for my life than the things I thought I wanted in my life. Reviewing my old prayers made me feel grateful to God and intensified my level of trust in him. It also reminded me of how ridiculous it is to constantly worry because the creator of the universe loves me and he is working all things together for my good.

I am giving myself a daily challenge. I encourage anyone else reading this who is plagued with worry to do the same:

Every day write down five things you are worried about and put them in your prayer box.

Write a thank-you note to God everyday. Thank him for at least 5 things you are grateful for.

If you decide to let take the challenge comment and let me know how it goes!