Love as a Boundary (Part One)

So we know that boundaries are important for our well-being, that it's incredibly important to know our personal boundaries, and boundaries can look different for each person. But how can you love someone and put up boundaries. People tend to think this is an oxymoron; it isn't. 

When you are walking in love, it creates a boundary around you. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 are the parameters:

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 

You see, you can choose impatience toward me, but I will choose kindness.
You can choose to push your own agenda in arrogance, but I choose to not demand my own way and listen in humility. 
You may choose give up on yourself, but I choose to never give up on you. 

This does not mean we have to stand still and be mistreated. It's about our heartset. It's the position we stand in in our hearts as we respond. Walking away from someone can be done in both love/anger or hate/anger. You know the difference. You've probably experienced the difference. You know when someone's walking away because it just isn't going anywhere and when someone is sending the message that they've given up. You can also dismiss someone out of your life and it still be done in love. It can be time to go separate paths, but it's the position of your heart when doing so.

This is a dedicated intention that anything except love will be kicked out, refusing to let that boundary be crossed. 

The battle isn't against people. I truly believe that. I'm gonna get a little woo-woo on you, but the battle is against evil. There is a very real and evident evil in the world. I know we can all feel it. Sometimes people choose to attach themselves to the evil. I think this evil in the world is deceptive. Some of us can see so vividly clear that what someone is spewing is pure evil, but it's like they have a mask on and simply cannot see they're being manipulated by evil. In choosing to respond like the evil, we again are siding with the evil. It's like Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

So. As soon as you respond with impatience, you are choosing to be in response with the opposite of love. What is the opposite of love? Hate. That's how it creeps in, you guys. It's these everyday little choices. Will I choose kindness or will I choose revenge? Will I choose rejoicing with someone or will I choose jealousy? Will I choose to boast or to be humble? 

Photo Story: This was taken by my sweet cousin, Halley, on the Branson Showboat for our Pop's 75th birthday celebration. It was a weekend filled with lots of love and laughter. There is nothing greater than being together with family. Family is a great picture of love and loyalty. We choose to fight for one another no matter what has been said or done. We choose one another time and again. There is no greater love in my life than that of the unconditional love of family. Speaking of Halley, if you love fashion and fun photos, you should check out her latest project on Instagram: @halleyhollis

x Keely