It's time to Fall in Love Again

I am related to an amazing woman. She gives and gives and serves and serves until there is nothing left. If you need something, she is on it. She puts others' needs first, always.

However … when someone pays her a compliment, she recoils and downplays her contribution.

A wise man once told me, “If I give you a $1 compliment, don’t give me back $2.50 in change.”

My refusal to give others the grace of heartfelt praise of me arises from a deeper decay of self-worth.

However … when someone pays her a compliment, she recoils and downplays her contribution.

I pray she can fall in love.

I pray she can fall in love with herself.

I can relate to those needs because they have been a huge part of my story. My refusal to give others the grace of heartfelt praise of me arises from a deeper decay of self-worth.

By God’s grace, I was put into a pilot class my freshman year called “Principles of Inner Victory.” The semester requirement was to listen to many hours of the greats - Wayne Dyer, Zig Ziglar, Dale Carnige, Tony Robbins, and many others.

Over and over and over again, the message was delivered - “you've got this. Everything you need comes from within.” And I’ve since learned this is because God created me and blessed me with His power.

It would take a few more decades to believe I could be good enough and a lot of work to let go of shame and to uncover the godliness in my DNA out there by ABBA, Papa, King of the Universe, my Heavenly Dad who is so full of Love that He IS LOVE.

My professor, David A. Christensen had a second homework assignment requiring us to develop a QLA - quiet love affair - with ourselves.

I was required to write the letters “QLA” on a sticky note and place it on my bathroom mirror and stare at it and into my own eyes, and recite each morning that I am worth loving.

It seemed so odd. So self-aggrandizing. So self-promoting.

But I can’t truly love anyone if I don’t love myself. Christ’s greatest commandment is to love. Love God and - love others AS I Love Myself.

I’ve intentionally skipped over addressing my first paragraph until this point. I couldn’t have healthy boundaries with others until I started loving myself. My lack of boundaries was seeking acceptance from others, then overextending myself, feeling resentful, failing to complete commitments, giving up, and starting all over again.

I challenge you to fall more deeply in love with yourself - acknowledging the goodness God has poured into you!

When you get a compliment, praise God and thank Him that you are in a place to bless others. And respond to the person with a simple, “Thank you for that. I love you.”

By Pete, Writing Team