love Archives - Jackie M. Johnson

What is Christmas Really About?

Christmas is where it all began,
An infant child who became a man.
Eternity came down so we could understand,
The child of Creator, the true Son of Man.

He was not unexpected, for the prophets foretold
The events that had happened would surely unfold.
Four hundred years later the miracle came,
The star over Bethlehem shone where He lay.

They came to attend Him from near and from far,
The shepherds and wise men who followed the star.
All were rejoicing that first Christmas night,
At the child of a virgin, a humbling sight.

So, what is the meaning of that first Christmas night?
Simply, He came to make everything right.
For the Child had a purpose in coming to Earth.
He came as a light and to give us new birth.

He gave us forgiveness and paid with His life.
What kind of love would pay such a price?
For death could not hold Him; He rose from that grave.
And freedom and life were the gifts that He gave.

No longer divided, no longer alone,
Because of His love the wall had come down.
Live free forever! O, what a gift!
Both now here on earth and forever with Him.

Wise men and angels followed Him then.
Wise men still seek Him, again and again.

— Jackie M. Johnson

Photo; A. Vonlanthen, unsplash

By Jackie M. Johnson

Valentine’s Day for Singles: How to Enjoy, Not Just Endure the Love Holiday

It’s Valentine’s Day and you’re alone. No special someone. No romantic relationship.

But your “single” status doesn’t mean you have to be sad or discouraged on February 14.

Don’t let one candy-infused, heart holiday hijack your hope.

Surprisingly, you can enjoy, not just endure Valentine’s Day, when you choose a new perspective on the annual heart holiday.

Sure, traditionally, Valentine’s Day has been a celebration of love and romance. But is all love “romantic love”? What about the other kinds of love? What if we chose to celebrate those too?

Here’s the thing: the word “LOVE,” in the English language is all encompassing.

We love pizza.
We love our pets.
We love our family.
And, if we have a significant other, we may love them too.

However, the Greek language defines different kinds of love in our lives.

Eros – romantic love
Phileo – friendship love
Storge – love and affection for family
Agape – unconditional, sacrificial love (as in God’s love for us)

What if, this Valentine’s Day, we celebrated these other loves in our lives?

Like calling a family member to say, “love you.” Or texting a friend to let her know she is loved. Or even treating yourself to a special treat or activity you enjoy to celebrate self-love. There are lots of options.

As singles, we can celebrate the love we have, not bemoan what we don’t have.

You don’t need to wait to have a man in your life or a woman on your arm to be happy. Choose joy now.

Let’s celebrate love of all kinds. And find new contentment.

Happy Valentine’s Day, friend!

You are loved.

By Jackie M. Johnson

The Wonder of Christmas: Experience His Love Anew

Imagine a night with a million stars in the sky.

It is cold and dark. You are a young shepherd sitting on a hillside tending the flock. It is quiet, except for the occasional bleating of the sheep. And a few words with your fellow shepherds.

It is an ordinary night.

Then suddenly, a bright light bursts open the darkness! And there’s an angel.

An angel!

And the angel is speaking to you in your own language. What would you do?

Here’s the true story:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them,

‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. –Luke 2:8-19

Long ago, ordinary shepherds were astonished that an angel had chosen them to hear the extraordinary good news:

He’s here!

He came! Just like the prophets of old said He would hundreds of years before. Messiah. Jesus Christ. Deliverer has come!

What else could they do but go to see—and fall on their knees in awe and worship.

And now, we celebrate again the wonder of night Christ was born.

And we, too, fall on our knees and worship in awe.

Grateful for the Love that changed everything.

God loved the people of this world so much

that he gave his only Son,

so that everyone who has faith in him

will have eternal life and never really die.

John 3:16 (CEV)

For more Christmas and Advent posts by Jackie M. Johnson:

Preparing Your Heart for Christmas (Part 1)

Preparing Your Heart for Christmas (Part 2)

Preparing Your Heart for Christmas (Part 3)

Photo credit: Kailash Kumar, pexels

By Jackie M. Johnson

Single on Valentine’s Day? 5 Ways to Find Hope and Joy

For some singles, the February 14 heart holiday, celebrating all things love and romance, can be challenging–especially if you don’t have a special someone in your life right now.

I know people in the “uncoupled” stage of life who bemoan their single status and gripe to just about anyone who will listen:

I just want a boyfriend.
I just want to be married.
Why does she get a second husband when I haven’t had one at all?

You probably know single people like that.

I know I do.

Then there are the cynical one who mock V-Day with snide remarks like,

Who cares? It’s just a Hallmark holiday anyway.

And yet, on a positive note, I know interesting and intelligent single women who celebrate with friends; they throw a party and just have fun.

Indeed, singles look at Valentine’s Day with very different attitudes.

So if you don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend, or a special someone, you can not only endure but enjoy Valentine’s Day.

Here are five helpful ways singles can find more HOPE and JOY on the love holiday—and throughout the year:

1. Know that you are enough. It’s OK to feel discouraged when you don’t have someone special to love (or like). But don’t set up camp there. Move forward with hope by telling yourself the truth about your identity and your single status. The truth is:

• You are dearly loved by God. You are the “apple of His eye.” He is with you; He is for you. He cares about every area of your life, even your love life.

• You are loved by others. Don’t discount the other kinds of love in your life—family love, friend love, and more. You may not have romantic love right now. But choose to be grateful for those in your life whom you love, and love you.

• You are not alone. Nearly 50.2 percent of us (or 124.6 million) American adults are single.

2. Let it go. Sometimes we hold on so tightly to what we think we want and how the whole dating/marriage thing is supposed to play out in our lives. We see what others have and get envious or jealous.

Instead, I’ve learned the way to find peace is to surrender, to let go of your heart’s desires and give them to God, the One who loves you most. Allow God to reign in this area of life. Knowing that God wants the very best for me allows me to trust Him.

In my book When Love Ends and the Ice Cream Carton Is Empty I talk about the fact that God is all about love and relationships.

But sometimes we try to fill that desire for lasting love with other things, or people, and they lend up leaving us feeling empty and alone.

“Often we try to load up our heart and fill the holes with what another person thinks, says, or does when it was meant to be filled by God. He won’t let anyone be our total fulfillment, otherwise we wouldn’t need Him.

It’s not wrong to want a relationship. God is all about relationships…As we put God first in our heart affections, He fills up the emptiness and we are able to receive the love of others, retain it, and give it away.

Perhaps you think because God hasn’t given you someone to love, that He doesn’t care or that He’s forgotten about your desires. God is not forgetful or uncaring. He is constantly at work in the lives of His children, and everything God does is for a reason—even His divine delays.” — When Love Ends and the Ice Cream Carton Is Empty, by Jackie M. Johnson.

3. Prepare. Are you ready to be in a relationship? What needs to change in your life? Maybe it’s time to think about being the right person before finding the right person. For instance, getting rid of emotional “garbage” in your head and your heart—like bad attitudes about the opposite sex or a critical spirit.

Then, think about what you really want in a relationship and how things can be different next time. For example, maybe the last guy you dated was too serious and you want someone more playful? Or, you want to have your boyfriend or girlfriend attend church with you. Think about what’s important in your life.

4. Pray. Ask God to show you what needs to change in your own life to prepare for your next relationship—like your spiritual life, physical, social, financial and the like.

Also, pray for your future husband or wife. Ask God for His best for you. You can come confidently and boldly to Him and ask for your heart’s desire.

5. Choose joy now. Don’t wait to have a man in your life or a woman on your arm to be happy.

Sure, it’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. But you, single friend, can choose to have peace and joy in your life despite your circumstances.

Make a plan to get together with other single friends.

Celebrate love of all kinds and maybe send a card, e-card, or text to family members or friends to show you care.

Instead of drowning your sorrows in massive amounts of chocolate this Valentine’s Day, rejoice in who you are—dearly loved, special and chosen by God.

Don’t let one candy-infused, heart holiday hijack your hope. Despite your feelings, or marital status, you can choose joy today.

I, for one, choose to be confident and hopeful—on Valentine’s Day and every day of the year.

Photo by Jill Wellington from Pexels

By Jackie M. Johnson

Can You Really “Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt?”

Is it truly possible to love like you’ve never been hurt? “It is inevitable,” says New York Times bestselling author Jentezen Franklin, “that someone has already…
broken your heart,

abandoned you,

said something hurtful to you,

disappointed you,

let you down,

or rejected you.”

And now, because of that hurt and pain you’re living with resentment, anger, bitterness or brokenness. Your heart is closed. Slammed shut. You don’t want to open your heart to love again.

The pain of the past may have you wrestling with questions like,”Why should I trust again?” and “How can I ever forgive that person?”

Intrigued by the title, I recently read Mr. Franklin’s book Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt: Hope, Healing and the Power of an Open Heart.

Is it truly possible to live this way, and love like you’ve never been hurt?

Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you’ve got a wayward son or daughter, and it breaks your heart that he or she is so far from the God who loves us.

Perhaps your boyfriend dumped you or your spouse’s sarcasm is often more hurtful than humorous. Could it be that someone you care about has given you the silent treatment for months?

Or something else has wounded you?

We’ve all felt the sting of disappointment or the searing emotions of being burned with words or actions.

“God did not intend for us to be the walking wounded, “Franklin says. “He intended for us—for all of us—to be whole.” And the only way to do that is to love like you’ve never been hurt.

Love like you’ve never been hurt. Sounds good. But how in the world does that happen?

To be sure, it’s not always easy. Especially if you have been through much pain and angst in your life. But it is possible. Here are some nuggets I gleaned from Jentezen Franklin’s book:

• The pain you feel today is the pain you can heal.
• Choose love over hurt. Choose to love others—always.
• It is OK to love someone from a distance. Sometimes that is the healthiest thing to do.
• It’s never wrong to love people who have messed up. You do not compromise your faith when you love.
• It is unforgivable not to forgive. Stop keeping score of offenses and start losing count.

Here’s to finding the strength and courage to live with an open, trusting heart—and to love again.

For more resources, see “When Love Ends and the Ice Cream Carton Is Empty” by Jackie M. Johnson.

By Jackie M. Johnson

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