Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life . When you think of God, what comes to mind? Lord, you are my refuge. When I am weak, when I am afraid, when I am insecure, I run to you. You are my safe place. I share the deepest secrets of my heart with you. I share my most difficult struggles with you. I confess my ugliest sin to you. When I feel unlovable, when I struggle to love myself, Still, you love me. You forgive me. You wash me. You restore me. You wrap me in the righteousness of your Son. You hear, you understand, you answer my cries. You go before me and behind me. You protect me from harm and evil. You keep me safe. You know every moment of my past. You see every moment of my future. You know me better than I know myself. And still, you love me. I do not have to pretend to be strong, or full of faith. You know the truth, because you know me. I do not have to strive to earn your love and approval. You love me as I am. Because you know me so well, you know what is best for me. Your plans for me are...

Welcome to Real Life . Do you want more? “All you need is love.  But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” –Charles Schulz I am satisfied with too little of God. The realization struck me while reading Ephesians 3. And I pray that you… may have power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. I crave more. More of God. More of his fullness. More of his love. For a number of years, I downplayed the importance of God’s love. I didn’t think I was worthy of it.  Is anyone worthy?  So, I tried harder. I focused on my performance for God. Do this. Don’t do that. But we live from our hearts. When my heart lacked love, I was turning in a daily homework assignment for a grade, instead of writing God a love letter. Love is foundational. Every person needs love. That’s how God designed us. Only he can fully satisfy...

Welcome to Real Life . What drives me? There is only one pure motivator. All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.  – Charles Schulz February is the month of love. No one would deny that love is real. Though, you can't touch it. Love is both noun and verb. It can be hard to define. (I tried once:  What is Love? ) God is love. [1]   It is the sum of his character. He is the author, creator, originator of love. I am His child. Do I take after my Father in heaven? Is my life characterized by love? Are my actions motivated by love? 1 Corinthian 13 is the chapter of love. It begins by examining motivation. After all, isn't that where every action begins? Recently, after reading it, I wrote my own paraphrase, to help me get a better grip on love. If I fill endless blogs with my thoughts about God and Real Life, and If I teach, mentor, parent, tweet, post, and discuss, But I do so to be heard, to fill my need for significance, or pr...