8 days and counting...

...til what, you might ask.  Glad you asked, by the way! :)

8 days until the exact date (June 12, 2010) that I committed a year to sit before the Lord.  8 days (well, technically now 7, but I don't count it that way since I've yet to go to bed).  It's been a very bittersweet journey this past year.
This year saw me through counseling, familial separation, friendship separation/parting, deliverance, healings, new friendships, healing of old friendships, new ministerial settings, and so much more.  This year also brought me to new heights and depths spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.
To think...where I was last year at this time, to where He has placed me/taken me to this year.  What a journey! Like I said, bittersweet.

Truth be told...

I can't believe it's been almost a year.  I was writing my letter to my darling future man (yeah, call me a sap, so what?!), and reflecting on this journey.  And how much has taken place.  And that in just two months, I'll be 28. And not only that, but just how much life can happen in one year.

One of the things, though, on a more serious note regarding heart matters, is that the verse, "Do not awaken love before its time." keeps marching through my head.  So, I've been sitting, reflecting, reading, praying, on what that means.  What that looks like.  And at times, I can be quite impatient to want to awaken that love, in my own timing, my own way.  Wondering who's out there, who He has for me.  But this year has been setting that aside, laying that desire at the cross and at His feet, in order to see past all of that, to the heart of the matter: His love for me.

And oh my what a love!  Today, I actually did a bit of girlie shopping and browsing.  (If you know me, you know I'm not a shopper by heart or nature.)  I tried on clothes.  And even bought a piece of jewelry (*gasp*).  Then, I came back home, and got SOOOO excited! haha  I was praying as I was trying to figure out what to wear tomorrow to church, and I was telling Him that I just wanted to look pretty and feminine and beautiful while I worshiped Him.  Why?  Not to attract a man.  But because that's how He sees me.  Tonight, as I sat looking in my closet and battling those ugly voices saying things against the Word, tonight, I instead heard the One voice that mattered, and told me how beautiful and amazing I am.  How much He enjoys me.  And how much He's been enjoying our time together.  Ending, today, a 3 day fast, by celebrating His absolute love for me.

I guess what I'm trying to say is...that tonight, I FELT beautiful.  I FELT His smile, and caress, and love for me.  And what's inside my heart.  And tonight, we talked like lovers...what I was going to wear tomorrow, what my day was like, what I longed for, what I missed out on, and just listening to Him talk back to me, telling me the things He's done, like give me extra sweet sleep, allowing me to relax and rest in Him, just listening Him whisper His wonders as I read the Word, sit in prayer, meditate in His gloriousness. :)

Looking back...this year as been a year of growing intimacy.  More of Him.  Less of me.  A year that I can't believe as been, at times, furiously fast-paced, and unbearingly slow.

8 days and counting, and the year of "no romance" is up.  8 days.  And the one thing most that I've realized...I like not dwelling on guys, or marriage, or romance, or dating.  I like that my heart/mind/time haven't been divided in that way.  But instead, I was able to sit more before His throne.  But it also showed me that I want to continue in that.  I want to continue walking in Him, being that close to Him.  And that having a relationship won't change that, when/if the time comes for that. But instead, it will enhance it, grow my relationship with the Lord, as we seek Him together.

And in that, I'm learning not to be afraid of marriage, or romance, or relationships.  But instead to embrace whatever He may bring my way, be it singleness, a relationship/courtship, or marriage.  Either way, I'm looking forward to another journey.  And to seeing words fulfilled. :)

8 days and counting, my friends! :)