{Love} Another Year Has Gone By…

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

Well today, it’s Valentines Day.  *Insert heart-shaped confetti and many red roses bouquet pictures all over social media.* yay…..

I remember growing up all of my life, envisioning what my future Valentine’s Days would look like.  My fairy-tale went a little something like this… My darling Prince Charming, would take my arm and whisk me away, out to my front lawn where a horse-drawn carriage would be awaiting our arrival.  This is then where he would pick me up, literally right off my feet, and place me gently into the carriage.  Covering me with a toasty warm hand-stitched quilt and then handing me a hot cuppa tea in a to-go mug.  We then would drive away, right into the evening, keeping each other warm on that bitterly cold February night.  Enjoying each other’s company under the moon light.

Later on, our driver would drive us right into the nearby forest…where deep into the woods, we would come upon a ruggedly-old cabin.  Where flickering candles and a roaring fire in the old-fashioned stone fireplace would light the inside of this abandoned, one room abode.  We would enter into this special place, and see that the floors were adorned with red rose petals and a hot dinner prepared for two, would be awaiting for us.

This would be where my life would end, begin, and continue on forever…

This precious lad I called ‘my valentine‘, would get down on one knee and ask me to be his forever love.  His Wife.  His soul mate.  We then would begin to dance in the outdoors, as the stars shone from the heavens above.  The Happily Ever After I dreamt of for years was to begin that one special night.

I had a very vivid imagination growing up, as you can tell…Valentine fairy-tale dream-story ending now.

Today is nothing like I had ever dreamt of, or imagined it would be.  Yes, I am still single.  Still waiting for that ‘Prince Charming’ to magically waltz into my life.  To be vulnerable with you…Even though I am young, at times I question if I even still have a chance left at finding my one, true love.  No special romantic proposal will take place this evening and no, my happily ever after I have always dreamt of, will not begin today. But that’s okay…

I have come to a point in my life where I am just pleased with where I am at.  I am at, what it feels like is a season stand-still, where I am just “Okay” with how my life looks.  And that’s alright.  In the past, envy has at times taken over my joy, in celebrating beautiful milestones with my friends.  Especially in the areas of celebrating…dating, engagements and marriage. Valentine’s Day has always just been another painful reminder of something I don’t have.

I read a scripture verse recently, that I have read at least a thousand and one times.  I could possibly even recite this specific verse to you, backwards if you asked me to.  It is a verse, that I am very familiar with.  But this time, when I read it, something different happened in me.  Like never before.  It truly clicked.  The words came to life.  My eyes were opened.  It changed my perspective and broke a strong mindset in my life.

John 10:10 says, “I came so that you may have Life and live it more abundantly.” 

It was in that very moment, that I realized I had been wallowing in a vault of self-pity and drowning in a sea of hurt, rejection and anger towards others.  I just knew that I knew, something had to change.  “Why was I at a point, where I was just okay with my life?!”  God sent Jesus to us, His Children, as a gift.  He sent Him, to give us life.  He sent Him, to give us life and life more abundantly.  Readers, do you know what abundantly means to God?  We can’t even begin to fathom it.

Personally, what I believe it means to live ‘Abundantly’ is…to live a life that is so captivated with The Heavenly Father, that in all seasons, situations and circumstances around us seem but so small, because of the big God we serve. Although, my heart desperately, daily yearns for an earthly relationship, my first and forever love was nailed to a cross 2,000 years ago in the place of me. He was willing to be the sacrifice for all of my mistakes and sins. Everything I ever did, have done, or will do was laid upon His shoulders. 

We are to live in total surrender to our Saviour. Because Jesus came, to give us life and life more abundantly. So although, I won’t be proposed to and my happily ever after won’t begin today, my hearts true desire is to, love unconditionally. Trust my Saviour, my precious forever love and live life and live it well. Will you join me?

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

About Kerrington Sweeney: 

Kerrington Sweeney is President & Founder of Uniquely Yours Ministries. She is so honoured that God has entrusted her with this adventure, of Ministry Leadership at such young age. She presently serves on various leadership teams at different churches and actively volunteers in her home town. She carries a strong mantle of community, a heart to love the unloveable, and walks with divine purpose to empower and compel women of the faith. 

Kerrington, adores journaling, public speaking, shopping, leading, and star-bucks with a friend! She feel’s God’s ‘call’ to one day embark on the journey, of a lifestyle fully committed to ministry and the expansion of God’s Kingdom.