Lovey-Dovey: The Weekly Hodgepodge

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Create an acrostic using the word LOVE. If you're unsure what an acrostic is click here.

Let

Others

Validate

Ewe  (Okay, so I cheated a little.  What are you going to do, tell my mama? ) 

Now, what this means (for me, anyway) is that I don't allow people to speak positively to me.  If you dog cussed me right now and told me how much you think I suck (please don't), as much as it would hurt, I would total absorb it, yet waste a great amount of time working to disprove it.  Say something positive and I blow it off quickly--even if it's just in my mind.  I know it sounds crazy, but positive words hurt.  Yes, as much as I've longed for someone to say good things to me and about me, it hurts to hear. I always wonder what's behind it or I'm waiting for the barb behind it.  For example, if someone says that I'm beautiful (trust me, it doesn't happen very often), I'm waiting for the phrase "inside and out" to be blurted out.  Like I've said before, no one can truly tell a big girl she's beautiful and mean it; they have to add "inside and out."  So, I've got to learn to accept true compliments for what they are.

Does love really conquer all? Why or why not?

God's love?  Absolutely.  His love is perfect; not selfish.  He said in His word that "Love never fails" (I Corinthians 13:8).

Tell us about a time recently, where you really put your heart into something.

I've got new responsibilities on my job.  I'm working to put my heart into it and not do anything half-baked.  Some thing with playing in our church's worship band.  Last year, I wasn't doing well physically or mentally which made playing with any kind of power of passion difficult.  Now, I'm getting better and want to stay fired up about worshiping the Lord with my whole heart.

What's your favorite fictional love story?

The story in Lori Wick's book Sophie's Heart.  Set in the 90's:  Sophie is an immigrant from Czechoslovakia who comes to America to work for Alec, a new widower and his three children.  At first Alec sees Sophie as simply the housekeeper, but as he learns more about who she really is, he falls deeply in love. He tries to reconcile his new feelings while still mourning the death of his wife.  It's a wonderful book and I reread it every couple of years.

Do you generally wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your cards close to the vest?

I used to wear my heart on my sleeve, but was berated for it, so I retreated into distrust and held everything in.  Now, if I find someone trustworthy, I will share my heart with them.

What food says love to you? Why? 

Food says love to me too much.  That's part of my problem.  My goal is to be able to enjoy food as nourishment rather than an emotional crutch or an antidepressant.

When were you last 'tickled pink' over something? Explain.

We laugh every day at work.  Even when it seems like everything has gone wrong, we find ways to crack each other up.

Insert your own random thought here.

Today is the first day of Lent.  Although I'm not Catholic, I still want to commemorate the total celebration of the Easter season.  I'm not sure exactly how I'll go about it, however, I have found an online devotional to study.  I also found this:

I can't guarantee that I'll get to it every day, but I'll do my best.  I don't plan on setting rigid rules.  I want this to be a time of growing closer to God, not worrying about whether I'm doing it "right."

Here's today's.

Human:  Hands make us human.  Human touch is necessary for mental healthy.  We have a Savior who knows what it is to be fully human, yet fully divine. 

Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.