Love wins...always...

I embarked on a journey of self discovery over a year ago, and as these things often go, I made promises to myself that I didn't keep, left things undone that I didn't intend to and in general beat myself up over what I didn't do well enough. The last few weeks have been stressful for a number of different reasons, none on their own that huge, but when they combined, they developed into a storm of sorts that has clouded my usual rather optimistic outlook. This morning when I woke up, I was just grumpy, cranky and done! The minute I opened my eyes, I was over it. I got up, went through the motions, made some breakfast for the kids, got them started on their school work and then as is my habit, I logged onto my computer with my cup of tea to check email/facebook/bank accounts/pay bills etc (the etc is usually more facebook)I opened FB and there the first post of the day that I saw was a Momastery post (momastery.com, for those of you who don't follow Glennon, do yourselves the biggest favor ever and check her out, she is witty, and true, and honest, and "brutiful" as she is known to say) She held a love flash mob today to help out Project Home Indy who in turn wanted to help a teenage mom, it's a lot to explain but please read the posts to fully understand the situation. I read the story and was more moved then I think I have ever been. Not because I knew this girl, but because none of us who donated to help her today knew her. And it wasn't all about money, we lifted her up in prayer or held her and her 4 month old son in our thoughts and hearts and if we could we made a donation. This young girl and her child are going to have a great shot at a better life because, today, above all else, love won. It got me thinking, that in one way or another love wins, always. Even when it doesn't seem like it, and life seems to be completely out of control, love wins. So, in the face of adversity this is how love wins for me: I've lost my grandparents, who essentially raised me and were my only source of true stability growing up. I miss them tremendously everyday, but love wins because I had them in my life, and I keep a piece of them with me everyday. This house situation is driving me crazy because people can't get their act together to get things done, but love wins because I have a roof over my head now. My daughter is developing a bit of an attitude that is not my favorite part of parenting, but love wins because I tucked her in tonight and she held me tight when she hugged me and told me she loved me more than the stars. I stress out because I don't know how to get everything done when it all comes crashing down on me at once, but love wins because I have true, honest, genuine friends who drop what they're doing to help me out. Love wins because even when we're faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, they really aren't. There will be sadness, there will be anger, there will be frustration and undoubtedly there will be tears, but in the end love wins. I plan to live by this and already I've had a shift in priorities. "We cannot do great things on this earth, only small things with great love" - Mother Teresa (and one more because love wins and it's my blog :) "I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love" - Mother Teresa Let love win, let it wash over you, believe in it, nothing else matters.