The Most Powerful Love

I had a very abrupt realization today.  It's kind of hard to explain, but I'll do my best.  

I was sick of cleaning up everyone's messes in my apartment, but I knew if I just did the kitchen without complaint, I would be happier.  As I was doing the dishes, something popped into my head.  Christ cleans up my messes.  Everyday.  Even when I don't thank Him enough for it.  He cleaned up everybody's messes.  He does everyday.  He suffered for each and every one of our mistakes, innumerable times.  Without complaint.  And most oftentimes, without a thank you.  He is there for me even when I make wrong decisions, or don't give Him as much time as I should be giving to Him.  

How selfish had I been for wanting something in return?

So selfish.  

So UnChristlike.  

Christ even asked His Father to forgive the people who nailed his hands and feet to the cross.  The ones who spit at Him with disgust.  Who relentlessly put Him under that excruciating pain.  He took it upon Himself to make sure they were forgiven for the pain they inflicted.

He didn't give it a second thought. 

Most times, as human beings, we expect that to forgive someone, we need lots and lots of time.  Time to be able to heal from the pain brought upon by somebody else.  When our Brother and Lord forgave those who were causing him so much pain, he was still in the midst of that pain.  

But He forgave them.  

Then and there.  

Without hesitation.  

I know that this is something that I should be working on with much more devotion; to be more Christlike.  He loves me unconditionally, so much that He took upon Himself my sins, mistakes, hardships, pains, trials, burdens, and afflictions.  

How powerful is that Love?  

I will take it upon myself to become like Him: the perfect example.  I challenge anyone reading this to do the same.  Living in this day and age makes it difficult to lose yourself in the service and love of your fellow beings, but I know with all my heart that it is what will bring true happiness. 

 After all, we owe it to the Lord, don't we?

xoxo

Brookelle

High Expectations

So many people say you shouldn't expect anything.  "Have low expectations to avoid disappointment."  Even William Shakespeare agreed: "Expectation is the root of all heartache."

I'm here to disagree.  

I'm not saying that you should have extremely high and unrealistic expectations, but why not have the highest expectations possible?  Without expectations, what would we do? 
 We would settle. 
 There is nothing worse than settling.  

Expect big things from yourself. 

Expect great things to come in your life.

Expect to be happy.

Robbing your life of expectation is the equivalent to robbing your life of hope.  

Aren't expectations what give us hope?  

Without expectation, we are without hope.  Without hope, we are without drive.  Without drive, we are without hard work.  Without hard work, we are without valuable results.  Without valuable results, we are without progression.  

So is it fair to say that without expectation, we are stagnant?  

Expectation brings about your hopes and dreams.  

I'm not saying that our expectations will never be shot down, or that our hopes and dreams will always be fulfilled in the way we want.  But when these dreams don't quite work out, when we fail, all that matters is that we get back up.  Try again.  Maybe fail again.

  That's life.  

Even though each expectation may not be fulfilled the way you had hoped, that's no reason to quit having them.  

I mean, it's probably a good thing that not all of our high expectations happen.  When I was little, I was convinced that one day I would be a famous singer and Disney Channel star.  (we can now thank the heavens that that didn't happen.)  

God has a funny way of showing us what our lives have in store for us, and sometimes, we come to that knowledge by failing.  And failing again.  And feeling disappointed.  But we must keep trying; we must keep high expectations a part of our lives.  

You have a chance to make this life incredible.  

Expect the best from yourself.    

Don't settle.

xoxo

brookelle

YOU ROCK

This video I found is a definite MUST WATCH for EVERYONE.  Especially women and girls.  

As human beings, we tend to see ourselves more negatively than positively.  This really opened my eyes, and hopefully yours as well, to how often we sell ourselves short.  Why are we so hard on ourselves?  

Don't sell yourself short.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

You are a child of God.

Choose to see yourself through His eyes.

xoxo

brookelle