Living Loved

This week was a short work week, and I didn't have to worry about going to class since we were off for Labor Day- yes!  I was able to get a lot of wedding stuff taken care of and even got a chance to try on some wedding gowns with my besties!  In between wedding business, kids, and work, I have been able to enjoy a book called The Shack.  It's a fictional novel.  The main character experiences a great tragedy and wrestles with God, wondering why bad things happen to good and innocent people (good question).  At some point in our lives, I think we all wrestle with God when we experience bad situations.  Throughout the novel, the main character's relationship is re-built with God during an intimate weekend where he is able to speak with God in person.

This book really made me think about what it means to live loved.  Living loved doesn't mean every day will be a piece of cake.  Living loved means some days will be rough, but if we hold onto the love we have for each other, we'll make it through.  For me, living loved is sometimes going to work still smelling Similac on my clothes, or hearing "Mommy" every 10 minutes.  For me, living loved is also looking down at my phone only to see 5 or 6 missed calls from one of my parents wondering where I've been (even though I just talked to them a few days before).  When you are loved by anyone... a child, spouse, friend, parent, etc... there are somethings that person can do to irritate you, but it's only because they love you. 

It's easy for many of us to give love, but hard for many of us to receive love.  Love can make us happy, mad, depressed, and excited all at the same time, but above all, love makes us vulnerable.  I used to look at being vulnerable as a sign of weakness.  Now, I believe it's the ultimate example of a person's strength.  Being vulnerable to another person says, 'I don't care what you think about me, this is how I feel, and this is who I am, take it or leave it.'  It doesn't say you're weak.  It says you are genuine.  Love doesn't know embarrassment.  Love is completely selfless.  In its essence, it's the most simple and beautiful action we can give and receive from one another. 

As tomorrow marks the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I'm going to enjoy the people in my life.  I have been blessed to be in the presence of great friends and family every day.  When I think about the families who were affected by 9/11, I wonder if they parted ways with their loved ones that morning saying "I love you."  I wonder if they argued with them over something as silly as chores around the house, kids, or money.  Tomorrow is an example of why we should love hard and forgive easy, understanding that living loved isn't always great, but it will stretch you and mold you into a strong, caring, and wise individual.  So instead of separating yourself from the person or people who want to love you as hard as they can because you're afraid, draw closer to them and enjoy Living Loved.