love

^" Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

^{It should not come as a surprise to anyone that I am not celebrating Valentine's Day this year.  Honestly, it makes me sad.  And I know, I know, it's "just another day."  I have been told that by so many well-meaning people.  But, the only people who actually say that are the people who have someone in their life to celebrate with.} 

^{That is my dose of BITTER for the day.  I'm done.}

^{Now, what I really want to say is this...   1 Corinthians 13 is one of my all time favorite passages in the Bible.  I do not have enough space on this blog to chronicle all of my faults and imperfections.  There are WAY TOO MANY.  Trust me.  I am not a perfect mother, daughter, employee or friend.  As a whole, I am very imperfect.  I have learned the hard way that love can hurt you.  And a lot of times it will.  Having said that, I am thankful today that, despite all that I do wrong,  when I lay my head down on my pillow each night, I am at peace with knowing that in my life I have sacrificed for love.} 

^{I have loved deeply.}

And at the end of the day, that cannot be taken away from me.