THE LEARNING OF LOVE

THE LEARNING OF LOVE

Love lives- continually  gives ~ LOVE NEVER FAILS

 Love never leaves & never deceives.

Love always remembers , Love sometimes grieves

Love establishes, Love includes, Love understands, Love honors, Love forgives, Love waits…

There are secret  things with Love-mysteries, moments, memories

The secret  things belong to One higher, sovereign, & wiser

But the things that inspire LOVE & the things that are revealed about LOVE;

Belong to us- to our sons & daughters, to our siblings & grandparents, family & friends

~THE THINGS REVEALED ABOUT LOVE BELONG TO US~

That we may observe, honor, & remember

ALWAYS & FOREVER

Pamela Hagens

2/26/2017

Heart Condition

Yesterday’s mistakes will be future learning. ~Today’s experiences will be tomorrow’s memories.   ~Tomorrow’s beginning will require today’s rest.    ~A season of regrets can ignite the moment of change.   ~The opportunity to love can be a treasured choice.   ~The decision to forgive will impact how you live.   ~The act of forgiveness is a gift to the spirit. ~The willingness to take a chance can be the adventure that jumpstarts the heart.   ~The pain of loss can give way to greater compassion.

SO~ J ~ WE LIVE ON PURPOSE,  WE SHARE LIFE with others,  WE FORGIVE and try to forget,  WE HAVE HOPE for tomorrow   WE LOVE ON PURPOSE.

Pamela Hagens

Winter
There's something about the still of a cold, winter  night. The heart takes notice of God's creation with  a sense of awe and reverence. Something about our earthly January calendar- when winter's grab can still us, grip us, embrace us. We find it easy to strike up idle conversations, help a stranded  stranger, pause and take notice of what is frigid and beautiful.  When our surroundings are covered in a wool blanket- we too tend to cuddle and settle into the warmth and wonder of the moment; we are forced to slow down, we can be tempted  to complain, but yet there is a kindness that is awakened in our spirit. There is a concern for the homeless, a tenderness for the unknown heart waiting by the side swiped car; there is a gentle hope that we all arrive to that place of safety, to that loved one who is waiting, the warm welcome at the close of day. That first winter storm can change our course, force  a different pace, cause one to  appreciate what is often overlooked, reach out, remember and reflect on those we hold dear,  smile at a child's wobbly snowman-- We must  surrender to what we can not control--nature has stood tall, and we must respect her presence- His power.

Unexpected Filling

There are seasons in life- sometimes very long seasons, that we don't always understand. We are walking but so unaware of the direction-the purpose. Emptiness & loneliness can grip us in these seasons. The heaviness resembles that of an icy capote covering winter's, sleepy branches. The heaviness- noticeable, transparent, hard, sharp- unrelenting ice cycles freezing our spirit.  During these seasons- moments; we may feel useless, fragile, forgotten, unworthy, frozen in time.  The questions come, the doubt kicks in, fear invades, hopelessness looms.  WITH ALL THE STRENGTH WE CAN MUSTER; WE MUST REMIND OURSELVES that WE ARE NEVER WALKING ALONE. There may be parts of the road that the sole of our shoes touch-a personal imprint formed; where pain is felt at the deepest level of  the soul and spirit, but WE ARE NEVER ON THE JOURNEY ALONE.  This imprint often changes us, challenges us, frustrates & overwhelms us, depletes us, baffles us...; but it can sometimes unite us. We can find strength in a stranger, laughter in a child-who can help us smile, we can find someone on the road that we link arms with- and STAND. As we watch and listen-  we can find unexpected renewal. As we watch and listen-  LOVE accompanies us on the journey.  LOVE (in many forms, many faces & resources) gently, tenderly helps refill our reservoir of hope, trust, mental & emotional fortitude.  In time, we began to feel less fragile, more steady, surprisingly calm-REPLENSHED.
In that replenshment and after respite; we are inclined to look for others in those hard places-dark places,  and we shine a light of possibility.
We've walked through the unimaginable, and WE ARE STILL STANDING.
WE REMEMBER, WE HONOR, WE LOVE, WE HELP,  WE STAND.

~Pamela Hagens

Afternoon Rest

A few days back, I had the pleasure of taking in a few minutes of the Fall season. The colors were spectacular, the breeze steady and refreshing, and the companionship memorable.  I was in the company of two very special young ladies-one German, one Norwegian. Their combined wisdom totaled 198 years. The moments with these two beautiful Jewels were Kodak scrap book memories for the heart and the spirit.  The 95 year young gem- in a delicate cream blouse, pink dress slacks with pink nail polish, and a touch of make up- was gentle and sweet;  the 103 year young gem- in a casual blue pastel shirt,  blue jeans with plain nails, and without make up- was calm and tender. These distinguished  ladies with a different attire for the afternoon, different life experiences, different backgrounds  sat comfortably  with one another - I embraced the wonder of their company. I marveled at the bigness of their life. I could feel their love, see their perseverance, hear a splash of their experiences and challenges, and observe the wisdom of time etched on their face. We talked a little, but mainly sat quietly enjoying the ease of our time together. These two gracious ladies were glad to share my company and did not want to occupy to much of my day. I tried to share in an indirect way that there was no other place at that moment that I wanted to be, and that they were sharing with me- the best part of my day. We did not solve any world problems, did not talk of how things were long ago, nor mentioned how things looked at this time period; we simply drank in the sweet flavor of the moment for our tender hearts. We took a snapshot together- I in the middle- this energetic, African American, female half their age; and yet we blended beautifully. I realized that under the big blue, with a continuous breeze, picturesque backdrop of Fall in it's fullness; there was something really special happening. They welcomed the visit, enjoyed the company, and I felt content. It seemed at that moment; we all felt loved, safe, understood, accepted, encouraged, and blessed. I will open that scrapbook when I feel out of step, out of place, and overwhelmed with the moments of life. LORD, help me to remember your kisses of refreshing.

Weee Morn Moment

My heart focused on a Sunday God Kiss- A verse in a song:
 'WHEN THE NIGHT IS HOLDING ON TO ME, GOD IS HOLDING ME THROUGH THE NIGHT'.
We don't get to choose the degree of our night-when it will come, how long it will last, nor how often it visits; But we have A NIGHT WATCHMAN that gives just enough light, comfort, relief, tenderness... until the break of dawn comes.  And we trust/rely on Him a little more in each dark period.
My heart visit these words: Revelations 21:4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes: and there will no longer be any death: there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
Revelations 22:5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because THE LORD GOD will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
~The God Kiss was sweet,gentle~

Still Learning, Still Growing

Still Learning, Still Training, Still Growing
I wanted to pen a recent 8 mile training run. Maybe just express some road lessons, life helps, spiritual undertones.
For starters, an 8 mile early Saturday outing may not be your cup of tea, may be a bit much for some, and for other road running warriors-it is a sneeze; But when you're out there just trying to be consistent-IT'S SIGNIFICANT!
On those early mornings when the legs are still wishing to rest, the training groups typically meet up at a designated place for sign in, course direction(maps of the running course), & to find a group to pace you for the big day.  I've learned to grab the course map just in case- I've misread the route a few times & I've also arrived  late; both experiences have lead to my running more than scheduled and running all by my lonesome.
LEARNING: Stay close to the others when you're not sure where you're going. Make sure you have
directions, arrive on time-things start whether you're there or not.
This morning I tucked the directions in my jacket pocket.  I had arrived as the last training group was being released.  I was okay--I had made it. I didn't connect with a group, so I planned to just run with groups randomly. I had passed a few, was behind many, but the sun was out and it felt good. Not far into the run, I missed a turn that was not clearly marked. Uugh, not again! One minute I could see folks out front, I had just passed some; but now I was alone. I crossed a street that we had already ran-
I kept running. Started heading toward an isolated area-still kept running. Feeling frustrated that once again I had missed a turn- I told myself I was okay. It's not easy trying to read and run.
I noticed someone in the distance-bright colored jacket--Aaww-it's all good. There's another runner, an approaching biker possibly, or a service worker waiting to begin their day. I couldn't make out the figure, but I heard a soft voice tell me to turn around--I kept running. I heard the voice louder now---"You've lost the group, and there's no one ahead but the person you see---TURN AROUND NOW"!
It was as if I saw the figure in the distance and he saw me. I DID WHAT THE VOICE SAID!
I don't know if I was in danger, but something did not feel right. I immediately did a U-TURN, and thanked The Voice for speaking clear, loud, & firm.
LEARNING: Be in tune with the caution signs (warning signs). If it doesn't feel safe--maybe it's not.
Watch what's  ahead of you.
I doubled back - catching up to groups that I had recently passed. I noticed it took a lot more effort to catch them than it did the first time. I huffed out that I had missed a turn--they encouraged me--"it happens."
LEARNING: Sometimes in life you may pass some folks--be respectful; they may be the expression of kindness when you get back on track.
A little further into the run, I reached for the directions in my pocket---NOT THERE. Oh REALLY!
The little piece of paper had slipped out--I knew it was not deep enough, but I could retrieve it quickly in my outer jacket pocket.
LEARNING: Hide the Word deep, remember some of the turns before you get to them.
I was nearing the last 3 miles - I was not doing more than my 8 miles today.   Aahh,  a sigh of relief as I caught up to three runners.  SOOO glad to see them! They too, encouraged me as I passed by.
LEARNING: If you can't find a chord of three, that's not easily broken-find at least  find one.
There's direction, accountability, motivation, encouragement, companionship, & safety in the company of others.

I  coasted in the last mile,picked up the pace as I neared the end, & I reflected more as I regrouped;
-Traveling companions are important.  -Fellowship is refreshing-pleasant.    - Encouragement is vital at some point on the road.   -There are times that you will get off course, get turned around, get confused.   -Be open to the voice within you.
SPIRITUAL NUGGETS:
 -Training is necessary.   -You will make mistakes, Let others encourage you.
 -Don't forget to share encouragement on the journey.  -Be kind to those you pass.
 - Don't give up-the end is within reach.  -When you reach the finish line, take time to reflect on the process.
 -Real Life begins when we cross over---WHEN WE HEAR WELL DONE.