If it were so easy, everyone would be doing it!

Today is the epitome of a perfect, gorgeous day. A few white clouds in the brilliant blue sky, a light breeze, and temperatures around 70 degrees! I normally run inside on my trusty treadmill, but running outside was a must today. The reason I love to run so much isn't just to stay fit, a big part of it is that it helps me mentally. I love to think when I run, I pray when I run, I enjoy the peace and quiet when I run. I love being a wife and mom, but that time alone to myself when running really helps clear my head for the day.

While running I thought of my relationships. I recently came across a quote that says, "If it were easy, everyone would be doing it." That's so true and goes for everything, really. If exercise were easy, everyone would work out; if marriage were so easy, couples would stay together forever and no one would get divorced; if basic friendships & relationships were easy, people wouldn't argue so much and give up on each other. Contrary to popular opinion, love doesn't come natural to humans! It just doesn't! Feelings and hormones and romance do, but true love doesn't. The only One honestly capable of loving unconditionally is Christ. And it blows my mind (as it should yours) every time I think about the process of salvation. God sent His Son to die in our place. Would I send Lilly to die for someone if it were necessary, even a GOOD person? Um, probably not! The whole concept of Christ loving us so much to be willing to die for our sins (and everyone is a sinner, just accept it) is beyond me. I'm so thankful that we have a God Who loves us for who we are no matter how much we disappoint Him. I really wish everyone would realize Christianity is not a religion.. it's a relationship with God; it's not just about going to church, "being good" because we all know being good is just impossible without God.. there's so much more to life than just living our lives according to how we want and loving others the way we want and can. Believe me, I wish I could love Rich, Lilly, & others like God loves us, but it takes prayer and realizing my love, human love, is limited and conditional. Humans fail each other, every day, over and over again. But accepting that, even though it's not easy, and loving each other in spite of each other's faults, takes work.