Day 16

"Love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love."
-2 John 1:6

I do believe The Purpose Driven Life was given to me for a reason. I may have broken my covenant, but each time I turn back to it, the chapter really relates to my life.

I didn't go to school today; I needed my alone time and really was just mentally & emotionally drained. I remember the last time I didn't go to school, it was way back in October when the whole Party City thing happened. Truly, it gave me a real good outlook on life. Was I naive then? Yes. Am I naive now? Yes. But that doesn't mean I'm not growing in my knowledge of this world, nor in my faith. I'm constantly learning, whether it be the easy or hard way.

Through God, all I see is love; he created us for that purpose afterall. We were brought onto this world to love him as well as our neighbors. However, we weren't put on this earth to hate, lie, steal from and betray other people. We all have this common purpose, as well as a common persona: God's children. Our purpose is the same. Our live's will end the same - in Eternity.

I for one, try my best to live a life of love. Prayer has helped me so much because, through it, I can feel God's presence growing in me. I know that loving other people, whether it may be a friend or an enemy, is doing the right thing. Hate is truly the strongest, most negative word man has ever known. Through God, I have only found hatred in the Devil and his usage of temptation. Consider this: we aren't perfect, and that is a fact. Meeting other people and growing closer to them would mean loving their flaws and mistakes. Though there are shortcomings to love...because people take advantage of it and can use it against you. This is where you draw the line, let them go, and go on with life. Don't be bitter and don't hold grudges. Just let go and let God.

Another thing about love is that you have to appreciate it before you can feel it's full effect. For example, I love my parents very much. Though we may have misunderstandings which lead to them yelling at me...they're doing it out of love. They don't want me to make mistakes. They care for me, and I'm so grateful to have them. They've worked so hard for me and my brother's sakes so that we may have a better life then they had. For us, we have it easy. When they were our age, they had to take care of themselves because they both had such big families. I remember those times where I felt lazy to clean and cook...they must have had their moments too. But knowing how much they've been through just to give me a better life, they deserve to be appreciated. I love them. I know in the past, I've taken their love for granted because I'm so used to having this easy life. What I didn't realize was that they had to go through so much hardship to get where they are now. As teenagers, they'd probably kill to have an opportunity to live a life like ours.

God's love also is taken for granted at times. From experience, I've pushed him away from me several times...and yet, he was still there when I was ready to seek his love again. That's the thing: God has always been there for me whether or not I was there for him and when nobody was there for me. Sometimes, through prayer, I ask him "Why do you still care for me? I pushed you away before, I am a sinner. I'm not worthy of your love." But he has told me repeatedly that I'm forgiven of my past sins and that, as his child and friend, he loves me no matter what. He made us out of love, he made us to love, and he loves us even after death. Because after that...we will live a life in Eternity. And I can't wait for that :)

Many people are driven in life for the wrong purpose. Many are driven by resentment, as I was in the past. Many by fear...materialism...and the need for approval. But they are all being steered in the wrong direction...because we all should be driven for God's love for us.

Good things don't fall from the sky. That's why, in times like these, I count those blessings...those memories, because my heart would be lost without them.

Love conquers all. And I know, through this love, everything will be okay.