Princess

So I recently indulged myself in reading a book (yes, in the middle of the semester, which is almost nearly impossible for me to do). The book I chose was The Princess by Lori Wick. It took me two days to read it. I was hesitant to read it because of what it was about, but surprisingly enough once I started, I couldn't put it down. Here is an idea of what the book is about:

"In the Land of Pendaran, lively, affectionate Shelby Parker was born to a simple life--yet her mother, Daria, and those around her cannot help but notice the graces she possesses. Among those taking note of Shelby's winsome ways and tender heart are the king and queen of the House of Markham, who are seeking a new wife for their widowed some, Prince. To uphold a long-cherished tradition of the country, Shelby and Nikolai agree to an arranged marriage. But while Nikolai is a perfect gentleman at public functions, he remains distant and shy at home, leaving Shelby to ponder the inner workings of his heart. Will the prince ever lover her as he did his first wife? Can the faith they share over-come the barriers between them?"

As you can probably tell, just by the description of the book, it seems a little out of the ordinary or even crazy. Needless to say, it was a very intense book. But it was also a book that had a very profound lesson on how we CAN learn to love someone we have no clue about. We are asked to do this all the time by God. There are people that God is constantly placing in our lives, whether we are aware of it or not. When we are connected with God and we learn how to love God, we are able to learn to love others the way He loves us.

While reading this book I was so floored at how Shelby was calm, collective and considerate of a man who had no desire to love her. A man that was hers, HER husband, her other half, and yet he couldn't even look at her. This was the man she knew God had made for her, but they were so far apart and on two different pages. Throughout the book God showed me how to follow after Shelby. He showed me how to be patient and kind, even to those who are not wanting of me. I also learned how to let some things go. While Shelby was learning to love her husband, Nikolai was learning how to let go of his former wife, and love the one that he had. It was a process for both of them, but in the end they made it. Shelby stuck by him and waited while Nikolai slowly let go, and learned to love again.

For me, in my everyday journey with God, loving and letting go are two things I find extremely uncomfortable. I am damaged and broken. I have a past that haunts me at times, even when I try so hard to shut it out. I know that I am forgiven and I have the right to walk in my freedom, but some days it's harder than others. I am in a mending process. I am slowly learning to let God have it all; my past, my bitterness, my hurt and most of all, my heart. I have forgotten at times what it feels like to be loved unconditionally by my Creator. I take for granted the love that God has provides all day, everyday. God has done amazing things in my life, and I know that I have a purpose to fulfill the call that He has placed on my life. What I have taken from this book is how to let go of some things, but never forget them. I have to remember the things that once made me happy, and the things I once loved. But I also have to look ahead at what the future holds. I have to remember that I am supposed to love the people around me, in the way that God loves us. I have to learn to be receptive of the love that others offer to me. So as I enter into a new season of my life and of my faith, I have hopes that God will begin a work in me. A work to where I am able to be like Shelby and Nikolai.

It's time to love and let go.......