This past weekend I went on a fabulous mountain excursion with eleven of the sweetest ladies I know. We used the Beth Moore Loving Well materials for our retreat devotional sessions. I think every woman in the group walked away with something in her heart that will be changed forever. Personally, I know that I learned so much about loving people with an intentional love that comes from a well inside of me that only God can supply. I think the visual of having God pour his love into me and then me taking cups of that love to share with others is something that will change the way I relate to many people in my life. Some other key points from our studies were:
The four kinds of people we have in our lives.
1. Joy-easy to love and be around.
2. Testy-people who test our ability to love.
3. Foe-the person you almost hate, an enemy to my soul.
4. Far-the stranger
The four confessions of love:
1. God is perfect love. 1 John 4:18
2. Nothing can separate me from God's perfect love. Romans 8:38-39
3. God pours His perfect love into my imperfect heart. Romans 5:5
4. Accessed, I can love anyone through anything. Philippians 4:16
We can never love well until we let Him love us well.
God measures maturity by how well we love.
God will not give to us what won't pass through us.
We will not love well until we feel well loved.
Perfect love is a mature love.
Restoration is the will of God.
Reconciliation may not be.
Some relationships should not to be restored.
Loving with God's love lets us love others with insight.
Never love blindly.
I love because He first loved me.
We also had time for hiking, shopping, eating, rocking on the porch, napping, reading, laughing and crying together and just taking time to slow down our crazy lives for just a few days and feel the love God has for us and the love we have for each other. I thank God for the blessing that these ladies are in my life, and I look forward to many more special memories with my wonderful friends in our Sunday School family.
