Tough Love

Love is HARD. Love is BEAUTIFUL. Love is everything in between.

One of the most defining moments of my time at Joy House was an evening about eleven months ago. 

I was MAD. 

Things were not going well to say the least. I went to my apartment in an attitude that could not have been less turned towards heaven if I’d tried.

I wasn’t praying.

I didn’t turn to my Bible.

I was TICKED.

I’m pretty sure I was growling and taking huffy breaths, when the Lord seemingly clear as day said: “You need to pray for restoration in this relationship.”

Ummm SERIOUSLY??

Yes.

It was a quiet moment.

A fast moment.

Certainly a moment I did not seek out. 

I’d rather have been tearing my skin on a climbing wall, at a shooting range, or taking kick boxing lessons.

Instead, it was a simple, quiet moment that will stay with me forever.

I was in the bathroom….where I’m convinced, all profound thoughts occur.

It was as if God Himself said, “Love her as I love you when you turn your back on me, when you create angst against me. Love her. Seek reconciliation.”

I could have fought it. 

In lesser moments, I would have fought it.

This was a powerful moment though.

I mean, I already told you I was in the bathroom where all great thoughts occur!

I walked out of that bathroom a changed person. 

A humbled person.

A person who learned a little bit more about forgiveness and a LOT more about love.

You know what? 

Restoration has happened.

Not because the person changed.

She may or may not have apologized. I don’t remember.

What I do remember is walking away with a magnified understanding of how God loves us.

Even MORE so….how God’s love HURTS for us.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: I mentally plug my ears and tune out when I hear 1 Corinthians 13 read. It’s just so typical.


However, when I read it with ears of one who has HURT for me, LONGED for me, PURSUED me,  and truly LOVED me…..

Maybe just then I decide to take out my earplugs and say: 

“Wow, God. This. THIS?? So, THIS is how YOU love me?? Ohhh please help me to love others well, especially those you’ve asked me to walk alongside like this.”

It’s hard.

It’s messy.

It hurts.

It's sacrificial.

....And it’s the most beautiful, powerful thing I’ve learned in over 30 years of walking with Christ.