A Life Filled with Love

          I am reading a book by one of my favorite authors (John Eldredge), and I was struck last night by a paragraph he had written about our hearts and their capacities to love.  Eldgredge wrote, "Everything you love is what makes a life worth living. . . . A life filled with loving is a life most like the one that God lives, which is life as it was meant to be (Ephesians 5:1-2)."
          Eldredge asks the reader to stop and make a list of all that we love, in no particular order.  Normally, I skip right over recommended activities like this when I'm reading.  For some reason, though, I decided to put down the book and pick up a pen and paper.  Within minutes, I had filled a page.  Throughout the rest of my day yesterday, I kept thinking of more things I love, which, in turn, made me thankful.  My heart was warmed by this simple activity.  Why am I blogging about it?  It's really for me.  You see, some days are just tough.  I love being a mom, but it's the hardest job I've had.  I miss Matt.  I get tired.  Rather than dwelling on the negative, I want to be able to remember all that I love, all that I am thankful for, and all of the beauty that God lavishly pours in to my life.  So, I am taking a few minutes, picking some of my favorites from my list, and sharing them here.
          I love God.  I love my husband.  I love that he is my best friend, my partner, the father of our children.  I love my girls.  I love the sound of my daughters' laughter.  I love a quiet morning with a good cup of coffee.  I love watching the sunset over the water, and there is nothing better than walking down the beach with the sand between my toes.  I love the way the Rocky Mountains seem to stretch from the earth up in to the heavens.  I love laughing until my stomach hurts.  I love a good afternoon nap.  I love my husband's hugs, the way his arms shelter me.  I love the smell of honeysuckle, gardenia, lavender, eucalyptus, and sage.  I love that God alone can speak to my heart when I am completely empty.  I love hugs and kisses from my children.  I love Audrey's sweet prayers.  I love hiking in the mountains and fly fishing in a wild Montana stream.  I love the look of unconditional love I see in my baby's eyes.  I love watching my husband play with our girls.  I love my dogs.  I love losing myself in a good book.  I love the taste of a freshly picked peach.  I love curling up in my bed each night and falling asleep knowing I am safe.