This article was written by a good friend of mine. She shares her unique, teenage perspective on what it means to love both yourself and others. Her story reminds us that we are loved and because of that we can love others. 

​​Last week I (guest blogger) realized that the way I see myself deeply affects the way I love. True and Godly love starts within yourself (Mark 12:31) – seeing yourself as God sees you. The point of love is not being easy and comfortable. Love is not about you – but that is where it starts!

​The reason I know God the way I do is because of the mountains we’ve climbed together and not because of the mountains He’s moved. Does God move mountains? Sure, but there have been quite a few mountains He’s left for me to climb instead. Those mountains have become monuments in my faith. They are times I look back on knowing that God is good, faithful and with me every step of the way.

In the article 5 Things you should know about faith I spoke about how faith is not always easy.

I encounter so many people who seem to be satisfied with an average relationship with God. Trust is built in the deep, dark, and difficult places and not where everything seems to be working out as it should.
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Let us not forget that it is faith that moves mountains (Matthew 17:20) and faith is strengthened through perseverance (Romans 5:3-4; James 1:3-4).

​You might have plans and expectations for this new year, but there’s no​ real way of knowing what it holds or what it will be like. Entering into 2019 I’ve noticed that faith is a predominant theme; not only in my life; but also in the lives of many of my friends and family.  

​I have friends who’ve started their own businesses; trusting God to come through. Some of my friends have set out to complete challenges fully relying on His strength. Personally, I’m trusting that God will show the way.
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A familiar verse I’m planning to make part of my life this year is found in Proverbs 3:5-6:

​So what does this look like? How can you prepare yourself for a faith-filled year?

A little bit more than a year ago an elderly man approached me in a grocery store: “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

I still don’t know how a random stranger could tell that I was single just by looking at me. What could possibly be the physical evidence for having a boyfriend?

​I can’t remember whether or not I answered him, but I do remember asking myself that question on a regular basis during that time.  I remember thinking: “I wish I knew.”

​​If you can identify with my grocery store moment in any way; if singleness is something you’ve prayed and moaned and cried about - this is probably for you. For the rest of you; please take caution when asking single people about their relationship status... 

​High school was probably some of the best and worst years of my life. It was during those 5 years I discovered I didn’t fit into the crowd (most of us don’t), leading to a very confusing search to find the true me. In between it all I tried to figure out how my childhood faith and relationship with Jesus would look like into adulthood. 

​Clearly, following Jesus called me to be different; so I took a year or two of not being too serious about Him - by grace I realized how unfulfilling that would be. It was in high school I chose to follow Jesus with everything – no matter what. Sadly, I also saw many walk away, choosing to follow the world instead.
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If I could do it again – there are a few things I’d do different. While listing them today, I realized how applicable they still are. Perhaps this is true for you too.