“God writes straight with crooked lines”.  Wishing someone Godspeed to a new adventure, he shared this expression.  At first, I didn’t quite catch on, but told him I would certainly look up the expression to fully understand his new calling.  Upon looking at the phrase and pondering all he said, I realized the fullness of the meaning.

God continues to write His story within us despite our crooked lines.  And, who is to say that some of those crooked lines that caused struggles were not meant to be?

I’m reading a great book Daring Greatly by Brene’ Brown.  Oh, so much I could say about this deliciously moving and life changing book, but I will share this one moving portion that I stayed on for quite a while.

We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness, and affection.

Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them–we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.

Shame, blame, disrespect, betrayal, and the withholding of affection damage the roots from which love grows.  Love can only survive these injuries if they are acknowledged, healed, and rare. (p. 105-106)

What would it be like to take this definition to someone you are closely tied to –a child, a spouse…and read it slowly together and ask if this type of love exists?

Where can we do better?  So, our journey is filled with crooked lines with our children, family, and spouse. Is the fullness of love, grace, and gratitude alive in those relationships within your journey?

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.  Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” Denis Waitley

Please take the time to watch this video from Brene’ Brown’s blog:

http://www.brenebrown.com/my-blog/

Scroll down to the video from Katherine Center called What you now know.