by Tammy Phillips
August 1, 2020

Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, – Ephesians 4:1-2 NKJV

I awoke mad, sad and teary, yesterday.  We celebrated our 27^th wedding anniversary and that is no small feat.  However, we were supposed to be in Watercolor, Florida, celebrating and hosting a rehearsal dinner for our greatly loved, oldest son, Brayden and our priceless, “daughter to be,” Mary Claire.  I, ultimately, chose to change my attitude and had a great day with Kris.

Unconsciously, I woke up THE SAME WAY today, only with more tears!   Brayden and Mary should begetting married today!  It was going to be a very, very special time of celebration and love.  August 1^st is also Mary Claire’s parent’s anniversary.  Our kids could have gotten married today, but they chose not to settle.  They did not want to give up their dream, so they  postponed to May 1^st.

I know they are celebrating today.   I have a choice to do the same or I can cry all day.  I can sit and visit with anger and sadness, or I can pray my way up and out of this situation.  I can choose thankfulness, instead.   I can love.  I suppose, I will “walk worthy of the calling.”  I will remain humble, gentle, and be longsuffering.  I will bear with them in love!  I will bear with all in love.  I choose love, every time, because love wins. And, I like to win!

Forever, if I cried, Brayden’s eyes would water, and he would attempt to hold back his tears.    When he was little and I cried, he would take his sweet, little hand and wipe the tears from my cheek.  Then, he would say in his most precious voice, “No more tears. No more tears.”  Know, I am not perfect.  I would like to punch a wall.  I would like to say A LOT.  I would like to slap some people silly and say, “Wake up!!!   Look what ignorance and hate have done to this world!  Don’t you know? Can’t you see Jesus is the answer.  Love is the answer. God is love. God is the answer.”

Today, I choose to gain control of my anger, sadness and tears.   I hear Brayden’s words and I choose to say, “No more tears.”  I am awake. I know the end of the story.  Corona virus, you lose!  Cancer, you lose!  Depression, you lose!  Hate, you lose!  Racism, you lose!  Ignorance, you lose!  Big pharmacy, you lose!  Corruption, you lose!  Racism, you lose!  Media, who have forgotten the truth, you lose!  Death, deception, corruption, you lose!

I choose to love.  I choose this scripture for breakfast.  I take it like medicine for a wounded soul.  It is free.  I wish everyone would choose it.  The world would be a different place.

Love IS patient.
Love suffers long.
Love IS kind.
Love does not envy.
Love does not boast.
Love is not proud.
Love does not dishonor others.
Love does not behave rudely.
Love is not self-seeking.
Love IS not easily angered.
Love thinks no evil.
Love keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not rejoice in evil.
Love rejoices in the truth
Love bears all things.
Love believes all things.
Love hopes all things.
Love endures all things.
Love NEVER fails!

L O V E   W I N S! 

I encourage you to love.  Love God.  Love all.  Love your enemies. Love yourself.