Updates from Brian & Rachael Page

In a season that celebrates giving and connection, the blog post delves into the profound impact of being remembered and cherished. It reflects on the intimate sense of being truly seen and known, attributing this profound understanding to your Creator, God. The message reassures that God never forgets us, holding us close with unwavering faithfulness, reminding readers of His constant presence and nurturing love.

Drawing from the imagery of the Last Supper, the article portrays Jesus's intimate moment with His disciples, illustrating the depth of His promise and love. The narrative invites reflection on the shared relationship with God, characterized by mutual remembrance and deep affection. It challenges readers to consider their personal connection and response to God's love, prompting a heartfelt promise of devotion and gratitude.

The reflection concludes with a call to action, encouraging individuals to demonstrate their remembrance and gratitude towards God in everyday life. It invokes a sense of companionship with the divine, reinforcing that this mutual remembrance is a cherished gift. Ultimately, the blog post is a meditation on love and spiritual intimacy, urging readers to embrace and acknowledge their own sacred relationship with God.

In a vivid portrayal of lessons learned from nature, the article discusses how young chickies are transitioned into their new living space amidst the challenges of inclement weather. The piece beautifully intertwines the spiritual lesson of trust and reliance on God’s care with the tangible act of moving. As the chicks gradually adapt to their new environment, the narrative reflects on how humans, much like these creatures, can sometimes resist moving out of their comfort zones. Drawing a parallel to biblical teachings, the article emphasizes that God offers us a safe haven and rest, just as the mother hen shields her young under her wings.

This reflective message serves as a reminder of the peace and protection found in trusting God, encouraging readers to embrace change, no matter how uncomfortable it might seem. Through this story, we are invited to draw closer to Creator God and demonstrate trust, confident that in doing so, we are aligning ourselves with God's plan for thriving health.

The foundation of personal wellness is deeply rooted in our ability to truly love—spanning across every facet of our being including our physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, and financial health. The progression of love, as described by Bernard of Clairvaux and explored further in modern discussions of emotional health, outlines stages ranging from an inward focus on self-love to a mature, outward-focused love that sees beyond our own needs. This journey through the degrees of love begins with loving ourselves for our own sake, evolving into loving God and others for their sake, and ultimately, loving ourselves because of our relationship with God.

As we mature emotionally and spiritually, we encounter a pivotal shift from focusing solely on our own desires to discovering a profound sense of love and delight in God's presence. This evolution allows us to view ourselves and others through a lens of compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love. The concept of becoming "cross-contaminated" with God’s love illustrates a transformative process that not only heals us but enables us to reflect that love onto others, fostering a deeper connection with the divine and those around us.

Embracing this journey of love leads to a life marked by genuine relationships, compassionate understanding, and a dedicated pursuit of wellness in alignment with God's original design for us. By committing to love well, we open ourselves to the possibility of impacting the world in meaningful ways, supported by a community of individuals on the same path towards spiritual and emotional health. This pursuit begins with introspection and a willingness to grow, guided by resources that nurture our development into the full expression of love as intended by our Heavenly Father.

Embarking on a journey to love well encompasses a multi-dimensional approach to wellness, touching on physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, and financial health. It's a call to examine how fully and thoroughly we're able to love not only ourselves but also the broader world around us. By considering our progression in love as a measure of our overall wellness, we're invited to reflect on our ability to fill ourselves with love to the brim, allowing it to overflow into every aspect of our lives and health.

Bernard of Clairvaux, a twelfth-century thinker, elaborated on the idea that love evolves through four degrees, starting from a self-centered love towards an expansive love that encompasses God, oneself, and others within God's design. This journey from an "emotional infancy," focused solely on our desires and needs, to an "emotional adult," capable of seeing oneself through God’s eyes and overflowing with compassion for others, illustrates a profound transition in understanding and living love. This process not only changes our relationship with ourselves and with God but also inherently transforms our interactions with the world.

The realization that loving well transcends a simple acknowledgment of others and moves towards becoming active participants, or "co-conspirators," with God in the world showcases a transformative life mission rooted in love. This level of love, nurtured by a deep understanding and connection with the divine, empowers individuals to see beyond the impacts of sin and towards God’s original design. It's a heartfelt invitation to heal, to forgive, and to passionately spread this infectious love to others, ultimately participating with God in changing the world. This journey begins with a commitment to delve deeply into the essence of loving well, embracing both self-compassion and the compassionate understanding of others through the lens of divine love.

February, recognized for heart health awareness, often emphasizes the importance of physical well-being but overlooks the crucial connection between our emotional state and physical health. Embracing the idea that most illnesses stem from emotional imbalances, it becomes clear that tending to our emotional wellness is as vital as caring for our physical selves. Addressing emotional health, therefore, is not just beneficial but essential for overall wellbeing.

In the journey towards improved emotional health, forgiveness plays a pivotal role. Through the act of forgiving and seeking forgiveness, we cultivate a nurturing environment for ourselves and others, promoting emotional maturity and deepening our capacity to love and connect. Moreover, integrating practices such as aromatherapy can enhance our spiritual connection and emotional serenity, reinforcing the significance of holistic approaches to heart health.

Engaging in informative exercises like the Five Love Languages quiz offers insights into our emotional needs and those of our loved ones, fostering stronger bonds and more meaningful interactions. Challenges aimed at encouraging a more intentional daily connection with our emotional and spiritual selves, such as extended periods of reflection combined with aromatherapy or exploring love languages, can significantly enrich our lives. As we learn to love unconditionally, we reflect the essence of genuine Christ-like discipleship, showcasing the power of love in transforming both our lives and those around us.

The journey of searching for love is not immune to the trials of heartache and the pain of unreciprocated feelings, especially on days that celebrate love, such as Valentine’s Day. The writer shares personal experiences of navigating through periods of singleness and the challenges of recovering from an abusive relationship. Through these trials, an important truth was discovered: the most profound love and healing come from fully embracing and seeking the love of the Lord.

This realization led to a transformative approach to love and relationships: becoming the embodiment of the love one seeks by deepening the relationship with the divine. It is this divine love that becomes the cornerstone for healthy, fulfilling relationships with others. The writer reflects on the importance of allowing God's love to be the primary source of fulfillment, thereby enriching every other aspect of one’s life and interactions with others.

Ultimately, the message conveys a powerful reminder of the enduring love of the Lord, as found in Lamentations 3:20-22, encouraging readers to find complete satisfaction and healing in God's perpetual love. This divine love is not just a source of comfort while waiting for earthly relationships but remains a constant, enriching presence in all stages of life and love.