From Once Upon a Time to Happily Ever After

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19     

         "Once upon a time......" These four words symbolize promise, hope, and the beginning of many fairy tales. We all have a "Once Upon A Time", because we all have a beginning. It is the end of the story that is a little more difficult to predict. Searching for "Happily Ever After" is a life long quest that is not always written like a fairy tale.
     This search for love is found in most aspects of life. Almost every movie, song, and book are focused on the journey to love. Let me clarify by saying, there is nothing wrong with Romantic comedies, fairy tales or wanting your love story to end with a handsome prince. However, many girls are often searching for an earthly love with heavenly expectations. God designed each one of us with a desire for love, but not a love that anyone on earth can satisfy. We crave an unconditional, never failing, enchanting type of love. God created us this way, because He wants us to turn to Him for ultimate fulfilment. He never meant for us to look to man to fill that void.
       Even though I became Christian at a young age, I spent many years thinking that if I just had a boyfriend, then I would feel complete. The world told me that, if I could find my one true love, then he would cure all of my insecurities, while simultaneously fulfilling every dream I ever had. I believed that a boyfriend would tell me that I was beautiful, so I would never be disappointed by a mirror. I believed that I would never be lonely, because I would have someone by my side. I believed the lie that I would feel valued and special at all times, because he would know my every want and need. The problem was, these expectations always left me disappointed. I could never find a boyfriend that could fix all of my flaws and imperfections with his love. What I didn't realize is, that the love I craved did exist, but not in the form of a boyfriend, fiance, or even husband. That one, and only, love is Jesus.

   The truth is, we all desire someone who will love us unconditionally, but no matter how great of a guy your boyfriend is, he is still human. That perfect fulfillment can only come from a perfect love, and God is the ONLY one who can fill all of those longings. He created you and knows your desires better than you do, so He is the only one who can end your quest for true love. Let Him love you first!

        Please understand that I am not against an earthly love. God gave me one of the greatest gifts when he placed my husband in my life.  I love him with all my heart. He is a constant blessing in my life, and I often feel like I am living in my own fairy tale. However, even he can not fill all the longings of my heart, and I can not fill his because we are not God. Our marriage is not one based on each other, but instead on the Lord. Alone, we are not capable of loving someone perfectly because we are not perfect ourselves. I had to learn to be fulfilled in God before I could ever be loved by my husband.

      Whether you are single, married, or in a relationship, on your quest for "Happily Ever After" remember, a man can never fill your craving for God's perfect love. Unless you let God fill you, you will never find true fulfilment in your earthly relationships. Find Him and let Him love you first, then He will write your perfect fairy tale. "Happily Ever After" is found only in Christ.

"God is love. He didn’t need us. But he wanted us. And that is the most amazing thing."    ~ Rick Warren


Photography by: Aperture Vision http://www.aperturevision.com