words

"I will offer thanks for what has been and what's to come....You are Autumn."

A book on the love languages tells me that there are 5 ways people basically receive and give love.
The five are as follows:
*One on One time spent
*Gifts
*Words of affirmation
*Touch
*Acts of service

Once upon a time it was my goal in life to figure out how people received love and try to love them the way in which fit them best. And lately it's been funny to me to watch my own behavior and notice some areas where love is hitting home. Because my love language happens to be words of affirmation. And partly due to this I have to be on guard for times when someone is saying something to me that is meant to be loving but comes across to me as criticism or harsh words. I think due to the way God created me, and other things that have happened since birth I am extra sensitive and take everyone's words straight to the heart. In the last couple of years I have learned that I cannot do this. I have been taught by friends, family, strangers and mentors that I can laugh at myself and words spoken to or at me. I can guard my heart without putting up walls and becoming hardened. I can be responsible for my heart instead of trusting anyone with it.
The difference I believe lies in where I find myself. It's funny, but there was that saying when we were younger...
"Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Oh, how I wish that I could have taken a piece of that with me along the way. But, isn't that what this journey is all about. Discovering who we are. Going to the bottom and looking to the trinity to define who I am. Because, in THEM, I am found. In THEM, I am loved, completely. In THEM, I can be me. The real me. I can know that words have the ability to cut and to soothe. And that instead of taking words straight to heart, I can take them to the swirl and sit and know that there all truth is found. What is truth, may it hit home, may I be transformed by love and truth and grace. And what is not truth, may it go to the way side never to hurt, bruise or crush.
So, thank you to my friends out there who wish to remain anonymous. Thank you for sharing words with me about growth and challenging me to remain in it. I wanted you to know that I remain questioning. I remain bags unpacked, heart open and desiring to see what comes forth. And THANK YOU TRINITY...Your mercies are new every morning. Your love, never failing. Your truth always available.
You are life.