I shared a link to a post written by Lisa Whittle yesterday and I can’t seem to get the story she shared out of my mind. She shared a personal story from her marriage. A story she said in many ways is the story of her life. It’s a story of wanting more and of things missed because of her want for more.
“I need something. I want something. But I choose something I want in the moment, and it gets in the way of what I really want more.” ~ Lisa Whittle
Lisa released a new book this month titled, I Want God
Her story has rung true in my own life.
For most of my life there resided a desire for more. I wanted more of something; usually more stuff. I would get more and then want more again. It became an endless cycle of a want for more. And more was never enough.
My husband wanted me to be happy. Most of my requests for more he would fulfill. “Maybe then she will love me,” may have been his thoughts. Instead of my love he received accumulated debt.
I loved him. I really, really did. On the other hand, I relied on feeling love to show him love. He did not receive an unconditional love from me.
There's a secret about love you may not know. I once did not know either. The secret is this: an unconditional love is not possible on your own. But with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
An online friend I had yet to meet took a dare. She dared to point me toward the more I had been longing for all along but missed because my wants in the moment got in the way. She pointed me toward the One who is love.
I then took my first dare. I dared to BELIEVE.
And then I dared to accept His LOVE.
And then I dared to EMBRACE who I am in Him.
And then I dared to find JOY no matter the circumstances. He is the source of my joy.
And then – the dare that continues to transform my marriage – I dared to love my husband with God’s kind of love.
A love dare journey began. {read my Love Dare Journey here}
It started as my own love dare journey during my husband’s deployment to Afghanistan. By God’s grace, my husband has returned home safely.
What started as my journey is now our love dare journey.
God's love, the One who can only change our want for more to enough, changes lives. It changed ours.
And now I keep on daring to share His love with you.
It started with a dare.
Will you take a dare? Maybe your dare is pointing another to Him. If so, please don’t miss out on that dare.
I am joining in for the Five Minute Friday fun (on a Saturday) because the prompt word is DARE. The prompt word was chosen by The Love Dare so how could I not? The post took me more than five minutes; it was more like twenty minutes. But twenty is the new five, in my opinion, when it comes to writing.
P.s. The words BELIEVE, LOVE, EMBRACE and JOY have been my One Word for the year (respectively) since joining in on this popular blogger thing to do in 2011. As my friend Kristin put it, it's "like a trendy resolution."
Dear Beth ... what a compelling tribute to how your marriage is glowing ... that your own personal dare is now a joint journey with this man God has given you.
ReplyDeleteLove.
As always, Linda, thank you for your sweet words of encouragement. Much love. xoxo
DeleteAwesome, Beth! God's love, above all else, will fill the void we feel inside...that need for "more". And, when we experience His love, He fills our cups to overflowing with His blessings! I'm so glad that you and your husband and looking to Him together! My your cups continue to overflow with God's love as you love each other with Christ's love!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joan
Yes, indeed. He fills our cup to overflowing. My cup runneth over. Love you, friend. xoxo
DeleteYes, Beth!
ReplyDeleteDaring to point others to Him...
so help us, God!
Thank you for visiting, Emily.
DeleteYep, that daring to believe is the best dare to take! I had watched the video of your husband's return a while ago and was so moved. Today I took time to read more of your story. What a testimony to his grace and restoring power. I too have a similar story of God bringing our marriage (36 years now) back from the brink of destruction...a few times actually. I look forward to returning here to read more of what God is doing in your lives. Thank you both for your service to our country. God Bless you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Lisa, and for taking some time to read more of my story. I look forward to getting to know you better through our blogs. Praise God for his restoring power in your marriage. 36 years! That is wonderful!! God bless YOU!
Delete"Twenty is the new five." I love that! I might try 5 Minute Friday if I can get away with 20 minutes, lol! I enjoyed reading your "dare" history. I'd say the last four years have been a beautiful example of YOU Believe{ing} {in} Love and Embracing JOY! Have a blessed weekend!
ReplyDeleteSmiling! Yes, give the 5 Minute Friday a try, June. It is a fun way to connect with other bloggers. I can't write much in 5 minutes but I pretty much gave up on trying. I'm sticking with the "twenty is the new five." :) Love you.
DeleteYep. 'Twenty is the new five', all right ;). About every five weeks I actually get one written in five minutes. I'm so glad you've dared to love your husband with God's love. You're right--we need to be filled with Him before we can attempt to love ourselves or anyone else.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever written a post in 5 minutes. I've had a few occasions of sharing something on my FB page in regards to the FMF prompt word that was 2-3 sentences . . . those were 5 minute posts. :) But the challenge and connecting with other bloggers is always fun. Thanks you for stopping by. blessings to you.
DeleteBeth,
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how one dare "to believe" has led to the domino effect in all the other dares you have taken. So blessed to share this journey with you!!
Sending love and ((hugs)),
Bev
Thanks, sweet friend. So blessed to share this journey of following Him with YOU! Love you much. (((hugs)))
DeleteHi Beth! Oh you had to write about 'dare' for sure! You have had so many dare situations, you could write a book on it. What a blessing that God sent you exactly who you needed to start you out on the journey to faith, daring to believe that God all you need. And think of all the people you have influenced too!
ReplyDeleteKeep on daring my friend. You wear it well.
Blessings,
Ceil
I shared with my husband just the other day that one day . . . one day far away . . . maybe I will write a book. It's a joy to simply show up here and share the journey He has us on. Thank you for your words of encouragement, Ceil. I so appreciate you. And just super excited about your essay in Chicken Soup for the Soul. That is WAY cool! Much love. xoxo
DeleteBeth, We can have so much hope in our Father...if only we dare to _____. And I just love the way you have filed in the blanks with your selected word for each year. Such a great message, friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim. He's been speaking to me lately on what my word . . . my dare . . . for next year may be. We will see. Blessings to you, friend. xoxo
DeleteI am so greatly inspired by what you share about your marriage journey - and your journey into the deeper heart of God's love. Profound truth that is touching my life.
ReplyDeleteAs we are sharing this journey of JOY this year, I am thinking that one of the things that I am being called to dare is this - to DARE to have joy in spite of what life throws me (and it's been quite a year of upheaval). To DARE to trust God, to rely on His goodness, even when I cannot see the path clearly.
I have a feeling that He'll meet me.
GOD BLESS!
I know that dare may not always be easy . . . but it's always worth it to DARE to trust Him. Reminding myself of that truth too. You've been on my heart lately, Sharon. I will be by soon to catch up. I've missed reading your words. You ALWAYS make me smile. Much love.
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