Lesson Learned!

Whenever I get ready to share something the Lord has taught me on here I always kind of dread it a little- only because somewhere in my head I am thinking- well that isn't very exciting- no one pins that on Pinterest! :) HOWEVER, I then get a fresh dose of reality and I think...What is more exciting that God, the creator of the Universe, doing a work in me and teaching me something? There is just NOTHING better than that. Even when it hurts- the fact that THE KING is taking time to teach little Jenica a lesson is breathtaking! SO...I am going to share something that has fallen fresh on me this past month. I think I have probably been told this lesson a million times, but it is not until the Lord SHOWED me that I went-OHHHHH I get it! (by the way, apparently I am really into all CAPS lately- so forgive me if that is annoying!) Here we go! 

I have an amazing family- I mean from the outside looking in our extended family is just pretty fabulous. Of course, we have issues just like everyone else. I grew up with a best friend who lived under the same roof as I did- my big brother. I just pretty much did whatever he told me to do and he just has a way of drawing people around him, me included. With only two of us growing up there was bound to be an adjustment when we got married. It is just not normal or right to remain "best friends" once God gives you your lifetime "best friend"..your spouse. I am the kind of person who is physically incapable of hiding emotions. I like that about myself and I dislike that about myself. I like it because being authentic is one of the most important things to me, I don't know if anyone can accuse me of being fake. On the other hand, it is the very trait in me which can hurt others. There is a reason why James 3 just sets me on fire every time I read it- I need to tame the tongue at all times. SO, I will say when my brother met his wife and decided to marry her, I might have not been as pleasant as I should have been. I believe I probably set a wedge in that relationship from the start. I really love her and truly like her I just have never given my heart to that relationship. I have been looking through my old journals and I have noticed something...which leads to the lesson God has taught me. In all of my journaling and all of my praying for my family, when it came to her I prayed ABOUT HER not FOR HER. I look back at my prayers and actions and I was always praying about her, my hopes for her, my desires for her. I asked the Lord to give me an unconditional love for her several times and I am here to tell you all....the prayer has been answered and not at all in the way I thought it would be answered! 
A few weeks ago her father was diagnosed with cancer. My dad had cancer 10+ years ago and I can relate to the emotions all to well of your earthly rock being shaken. Something I am always honored to do is pray for others. I am just overwhelmed with the desire to pray for others, and things just break my heart before the Lord. People I don’t even really know just press on my soul- and I am so grateful for that time with the Lord. I am in awe by the gift of prayer. So, when I heard the news and she asked me to pray for her dad something happened IN ME. For the first time in a long time, I really sat down on my face and prayed FOR HER. I was able to put myself in her shoes, knowing what that was like to have my daddy sick and was able to truly love her through prayer. The battle with his cancer continues and I just continue to be in awe by God and what he is doing in me through praying for their family. I just have a newfound love for her that I honestly didnt know I could have. And the issues was within ME...it just blew me away. By praying for someone, you can actually love them in a supernatural way. I am pretty sure that this revelation is going to effect all of my relationships. Why don’t we pray for, really pray for, those our hearts are hard toward? Pride! I am always grateful when I can shed some pride! 
Do you have someone you have trouble loving? Do you have someone who you would consider an enemy? Is there someone with whom you have a broken relationship? I just ask you- are you praying about them or for them? I wish I would have learned this lesson while my mother-in-law was alive. I really loved her but I was hard on her. I did a lot of praying about her and I so wish I would have prayed for her and would have loved her like the Lord calls me to love her. I love Philippians 1:9-11 (below) in the message- “so this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love MUCH but WELL.” I am so blessed to learn this lesson now, it really has transformed my time with the Lord. If someone needed to hear that, then I am blessed to share it with you! 

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Philippians 1:9-11(message) So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.