Courage to Love

Thoughts, Prayers and Words of Encouragement: "True love is love that causes us pain, that hurts, and yet brings us Joy. That is why we must pray and ask for the courage to love." Mother Teresa

How often I remind myself that this whole journey is about love. After all that is what Jesus said...Love the Lord your God with all you.....and love your neighbor as yourself. I guess He really knew the LOVE HURTS and the EXTREME JOY of Love. I must confess though it is so much easier to live in the Joy of love rather than the pain and hurt. I think today of my friend whose grandma when to be with Jesus...her family had the great joy of knowing she is spending eternity with Jesus and the great pain of goodbye. How many times I ask the Lord to help me love more...then wammy comes the pain and hurt....I am going to start praying for the courage to love...then the real love will be Christ's love.

As I travel to visit family and friends, I am praying for the courage to love, that contagious JOY will infect them all and that God will fill me up to overflowing. This time has already been so healing...time to reflect, cry, laugh and most of all LOVE and BELOVED...I guess that is the truth...when we BE LOVED we are BELOVED...:):)

Dear Lord, thank you for love. Thank you for the example of love and drawing us to the suffering with you in Love. Keep me mindful that when I suffer in love, you suffer...Please give me courage to face every situation and person with Your great love. Thanks also for a great day...love di