MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!

You've heard the saying, "love at first sight." But what ppl should know is the true saying should be "attracted at first sight." TRUE love takes time and nurture. It grows with time. Friendship is a key factor. Trust and commitment.

All of us young ppl say we like someone, so we date them, then after a short time, claim we love them, but when the going gets tough, we sit there and say, "I dont understand, I give up its too hard!!!" Breakup happens and then the viscous cycle starts up again. Is that real love? Would we DIE for them? Sacrifice our dreams for theirs? Could we spend the rest of our life with only ONE person and stay true to them? Tell death do you part?

Truth? I think we can, but only if we want to. The choice is ALWAYS ours.

Our love is young and uncontrolled at times. Many of us jump in too soon and get burned badly. We walk out angry, hurt, scarred and un-trustful. No wonder we need counseling! The statistics, 95% of all teenage dating relationships end before the 1st year is up because they jumped in before they new the person. More importantly, they didn't know themselves. How can you love and accept someone when you don't accept yourself?

So you "fall in love" marry early. You hit the first, second, possibly third bump.....what then? The sad truth is, most marry before they find out who they are in Christ AS a single. When they do get married, they then want to find themselves with each other....its a self goal and self motivated. I'm not saying its bad, but why do you think that one out of every two marriages end up in a divorce in the United States alone? You can't accept another person if you can't even accept yourself. The focus MUST be on Jesus Christ/God. How else is it to work?

Being self focused leaves you closed minded. Not that you should ignore yourself, but rather put your focus in Jesus, you cant go wrong with that.

Some are convicted, but ignore, while others are simply not allowing the Lord to lead them in their walk, while even more find something and stick to it like glue refusing to listen or accept anything else. THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS. But are they right?

This applies to EVERYTHING now that I think about it.

Please dont take offense! Believe me, I have a hard enough time with just me continuing to stand my ground. Most of my friends started dating from a young age. I have grown up in this culture, but set apart to watch. Its quite fascinatingly horrifying!

But I don't judge ppl by their choices, thats between them and God.

No worries, whatever God has for you, if you're open about it, He'll show you the way. Thats all He asks anyways, if you're willing to be instructed, then you'll get the answers you are looking for. =)

Rest in His hands and God bless!!!

in His hands,
~autumn~