Minty Kisses

God is so good :) I am in love. And believe it or not, chemistry is not the end of my world. Who knew?

This week started out tough, coming off a break which was slightly-less-than-restful and having a perspective on my world which included mentally surviving just the given day. I was cranky (at least in my head) and to be honest the one thing that reminded me to keep looking to God was a close friend asking, "Are you where God wants you to be?" and "Are you doing the absolute best you can under the circumstances?".... and me responding with a slightly reluctant, but honest, "Yes". 

Tuesday morning I woke up and went to spend time with God by reading a devotional which directed me towards Romans 8:28 which goes like this-
"We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan."
Beautiful, right? It was to me, although a little humbling too as I recognized I hadn't been consciously taking God up on this truth over the past week. Then my eyes drifted to earlier in the chapter, where Paul  is talking about sufferings- its beautiful, so I'll put it in here too-
"Now I'm sure of this: the sufferings we endure now are not even worth comparing to the glory that is coming and will be revealed in us...when our adoption as children of God is complete"
When I read this, a smile broke onto my face as I was reminded of a conversation I had with a friend the other day. Now, this friend of mine absolutely hates mint. He hates the taste of it, hates the smell of it, and especially hates the way it feels...lungs mouth, whatever. So when I was talking with him the other day, I asked what would happen if or when his girlfriend went to kiss him with minty breath. He thought for a second and then responded, "Kelly, my dislike for mint is not even in the same category as my desire for her kisses. They literally don't even compare." And I laughed out loud :)
I remembered this conversation in light of my devotion because I realized that my love for my Savior and desire to "accept His invitation" should not have even been in the same category of the difficulties or struggles (or chemistry) that I have been facing. I realized that in light of the love of Christ, all my obstacles were nothing more than "minty kisses". Connected, but not comparable. It really made me smile and laugh, which I think is God's way of letting us know how much we are loved sometimes.
May you be able to see whatever difficulties or trials that you are in the midst of this week as minty kisses, and may you be able to reach out from wherever you are and recognize the deepest love He has for you in return. Unexplainable and yet simple. Bowl-you-over, yet the only thing keeping you standing up. Contagious. Breath-altering. And beautiful beyond words. That is a love beyond comparison. That, my siblings, is the love of our God. May you know it today.

Love and blessings in Christ wherever this finds you.
-Kelly