Tag: #Love

Sacred Love: Being Seen

A Series of Longing from the Song of Songs

I welcome love that sees me and honors me for who I am.

We all have a longing.
To be recognized.
To be understood.
To be cherished.

And yet we often hide the very depths of our souls.
Those quiet places.
Tender spaces.
The place where there is fear.

We fear we are too much.
Or not enough.
Not worthy.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

One of my long-time friends once told me he loved my eyes — “exotic, almond‑shaped,” he said. Forty years later, I still remember those words. Why? Because in that moment, I felt noticed. I felt like I mattered. I felt valued.

How often do people notice a small sacred detail about you and then actually speak it?

What kind of world would we live in if we spoke the beauty we see instead of keeping it to ourselves?

How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from the hills of Gilead.

– Song of Solomon 4:1

May you truly experience what it feels like to be seen —
not for what you do, but for who you are.
May sacred love meet and guide you where you need to be. Amen.

Image Credit: “The Veiled Woman” by Koshyk is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

#SacredLove #SongOfSongs #Valentine’sDay #Intimacy #Faith #Poetry #IntimateFaith #HolyLove #LoveJourney

Sacred Love: Welcome

A Series of Longing from the Song of Songs

Welcome to Sacred Love.
A month of longing.
A month of poetry.
A month of receiving real, sacred love.

Throughout this series, we will explore the longing that rises from the Song of Songs:
the longing to be seen,
to be held,
to be delighted in,
to belong.

This is an invitation to slow down.
To breathe.

To cherish the beauty of intimacy — emotional, spiritual, and physical.
And to honor the desire God placed within us for connection that is tender, virtuous, and deeply human.

I welcome the beauty of sacred love.

February invites us pause and reflect on love—
Not the commercial love of Valentine’s Day.
But the love that is felt before it is understood.
A love that stirs.
A love that is found in the sacred space within each one of us.

Song of Songs is a book of longing—
the longing to connect to another human soul.
One that is designed by God.
Blessed by God.
And breathed into our very being.
Yet it is only experienced when we invite God into it.

Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers.

—Song of Solomon 1:4

May your heart and eyes open to sacred love.
May you see and feel this love reaching for you more and more each day. Amen.

Two figures embracing by Joy Cho found on Athome.com

#SacredLove #SongofSongs #Valentine’sDay #Intimacy #Faith #Poetry #IntimateFaith #HolyLove #LoveJourney

Sacred Love: Introduction

A Series of Longing from the Song of Songs

Love is tender, poetic, and intimate.
There is no doubt that love rises from the sacred space within each of us.
It is the longing to be seen.
To be heard.
To fill the loneliness.
And to remind us that we were created for connection.

The Song of Songs is one of the poetry books of the bible. It is the 22nd book in the Old Testament. Some say it is erotic poetry. But it is far more than that.

Two lovers on a love journey, each longing for the other. Their story is filled with desire, delight, and devotion. Rich with allegory and vivid imagery, this book sings a song of longing and intimacy —
a song that helps us understand what love is all about.

This month, we will step into that longing. The place where we want to be known,
chosen,
pursued,
and deeply cherished.

Sacred love is designed and defined by God.
It is passionate.
It is faithful.
It is holy.
And it is reachable.

It is like nothing else on this earth.
Love is fragrant.
It is mystical.
It is emotional.
It is intimate.
It is sacred.
It reflects God’s love for us.

And so, we begin —
a month of love. And what better place to start than the Song of Songs.

“Pair lovers, null ida teichmann” is marked with CC0 1.0.

#SacredLove #SongOfSongs #Valentine’sDay #Intimacy #Faith #Poetry #IntimateFaith #HolyLove #LoveJourney

Welcoming Love

Affirmation

We welcome love. We open our hearts to its warmth and vitality.

Reflection

As January comes to a close, we have nearly completed the first whole month of 2026. Moving into February feels like crossing a bridge —
one that guides us toward a more authentic way of being. Slow. Steady. True.

January has invited us to slow down, to notice the sparkle, to breathe again.
To appreciate the small things life has to offer.
Now it invites us to open our hearts —to let love meet us where we are.
Not the perfect or polished version of us.
Just our honest, authentic selves.

Love is grand and has its own timeline.
Sometimes it comes softly —
in a kind word offered at the right moment, in a hand reaching for ours, or in the familiar comfort of someone who sees us as we are.
Sometimes it arrives loudly —
like a spark igniting a fire, full of sizzles, cracks, and pops.

What we do know for sure is that love shows up every day in the ordinary:
the warmth and joy shared over a piece of pizza,
the whisper of “I’m sorry,”
the courage to forgive,
the assurance that God is with us – always.

Love is God’s way of saying: You are held. You are seen. You are cherished.
Welcoming love means letting ourselves receive what we often give so freely to others. It means trusting that love is not scarce, not fragile, not earned — but offered. Again and again.

Prayer

God, teach us to welcome love — the love You pour into our lives and the love that flows through the people around us. Help us soften our words, calm our anxiety, and open our hearts to love. May Your love remind us that we are seen, heard, and valued. Amen

Image Credit: Freepik p. 43 Shared Meal

#Love #January #Welcome #NewYear #2026 #Affirmation #Prayer #Faith #Seasons #Reflections

Prepare Ye The Way

Advent is a preparation season
A season to prepare for the coming babe in a manger.

PREPARE

It is Christmas.
CHRISTMAS IS HERE.
TODAY.

It comes every year.
Whether we are prepared or not.

This year, let’s PREPARE.

PREPARE our hearts.
PREPARE our minds.
PREPARE our bodies.
PREPARE our homes.
PREPARE our spouses.
PREPARE our loved ones.

PREPARE to welcome THE CHRIST CHILD!

What Christmas has revealed to me this year,
is that we can’t ACCEPT the wonder and the awe of the holiness of God
UNTIL we PREPARE ourselves to meet the glorious king.

THEN, once we have PREPARED,
We will rest in God’s loving arms.
And WAIT.

We have a CHOICE.

We can be like the WISE women with the oil lamps or the foolish ones who are not prepared. (Matthew 25)

May the One who sent a babe into the world lead us back to love.

May the PEACE of CHRIST in CHRISTMAS bring you peace today and every day until the end of time.

If you need support from either a no contact or a low contact estrangement today, visit thepaisleyfrog.com for more information about the “8 stages” and you can read about the process of estrangement.

In the meantime, be with those who want you in their lives. And may the peace of Christmas get you through today.

WISHING YOU ALL A boatload OF JOY AND PEACE THIS CHRISTMAS.

#Christmas #Peace #Faith #Estrangement #Prepare #Holidays

Photo taken at St. Joseph’s, Lutz, Florida – 2025

Hey Cutie-Pie, Are We in Love? #8 Forgiveness

A Series on Love, Laughter, and the Little Things

Image Source: shilpakapilavai dot com/free-yourself-by-learning-to-forgive/

Let’s be real.

Someone will forget to take out the trash.

Again!

A good partner says, “No worries,” instead of keeping score.

They know that love means extending grace, even when it feels easier to hold a grudge.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

— Colossians 3:13

Fun & Faithful

Forgiveness is the secret to a long-lasting partnership.

Not because mistakes don’t matter—but because grace keeps the love flowing.

Why?

Because Nobody’s Perfect

A forgiving heart is the gentle nod that says:

“Yup, you messed up. And I still choose you.”

It’s not about ignoring what went wrong.
It’s about letting go of the weight,
because holding on to it drags both of you down.

So, tell me:

What’s something small you’ve had to forgive this week?

Did your partner finish the last slice of cake you’ve been saving for yourself? Again?

Forgiveness is essential to the secret sauce.

It’s the tender smile instead of the sharp word.
The way you choose peace over being right.

The quiet strength to say: We’re human, and that’s okay.

It’s the gentle stuff that says:

“I love you… mistakes and all.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please comment and “like” this post if you feel led to.

#Love #Kindness #Patience #Humor #Faith #Flexibility #Thoughtfuness #Relationships #GoingTheDistance #IandThouReflections

Hey Cutie-Pie, Are We in Love? #7 Thoughtfulness

A Series on Love, Laughter, and the Little Things

Image Source: http://www.oaklandcountylakesmi dot com/tag/thoughtfulness/

Let’s be real.

Thoughtfulness is more than remembering birthdays. Right?

But if your partner continues to “forget” vital dates regularly, maybe it’s time to dial it back a notch?

Thoughtfulness IS the little things as well as the BIG things – like birthdays!

It’s about paying attention to what makes them smile. What brings your partner joy?

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

Fun & Faithful

A good partner knows the power of small gestures.

It’s the note in the lunchbox.
The extra blanket on a cold night.
The goofy meme you send when they’re feeling down.

Thoughtfulness doesn’t require grand gestures.

It’s the gentle reminders that say:

“I’m here, and I see you.”

So, tell me: What’s the smallest thing your partner has done that meant the world to you?

Thoughtfulness is a key ingredient to the secret sauce.

It’s the quiet ways we show up for each other.
The way we pay attention.
The way we care—over and over again.

It’s the gentle stuff that says:

“I’m thinking of you… always.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please comment and “like” this post if you feel led to.

#Love #Kindness #Patience #Humor #Faith #Flexibility #Thoughtfuness #Relationships #GoingTheDistance #IandThouReflections

Hey Cutie-Pie, Are We in Love? #6: Flexibility

A Series on Love, Laughter, and the Little Things

Image Source: Pinterest

Let’s be real.

Some of us are not as flexible as others. Right?

A good partner is ready, from surprise rain showers to a surprise birthday party. They know that life doesn’t always follow the plan.

Why?

Because plans change.
And sometimes the TV settings can mysteriously change, too.

The question is how flexible you can be. Can you pivot quickly?

When we’re faced with change, we have to roll with it.
We need to laugh through it.
We need to stay open – even when it’s a little uncomfortable.

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” — Philippians 2:4

Fun & Faithful

Flexibility isn’t about giving up everything—it’s about meeting in the middle. Even if it means watching that rom-com you said you’d never watch.

Think of a yoga pose. You need to stay nimble and flexible.
Breathe deep.
Bend a little.
Find your balance – together.

So tell me: What’s the most unexpected change you’ve rolled with lately?

Flexibility is part of the secret sauce, too.

It’s the way you compromise.
The way you shift.
It’s the smile that says: I’m here for the adventure – no matter where it takes us.

It’s the gentle stuff that says:

“I’m willing to bend a little – for us.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please comment and “like” this post if you feel led to.

#Love #Kindness #Patience #Humor #Faith #Flexibility #Relationships #GoingTheDistance #IandThouReflections

Hey Cutie-Pie, Are We in Love? #5: Faith

A Series on Love, Laughter, and the Little Things

Image Source: thechristianconservative dot site

Let’s be real.

Faith isn’t just for Sundays.

You want someone who believes in God, love, and maybe even your karaoke dreams—no judgment.

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15

Fun & Faithful

Faith shapes how you treat each other every day.

It’s the quiet strength beneath the laughter, the peace in the middle of the chaos.

It’s the prayer whispered in the dark, the gentle “Amen” after a long day.

The faith that says:

“I’m here and trust in something bigger than us.”

It’s not about perfect faith—it’s about growing together.
Praying together.
Dreaming together.

So tell me: What’s one small way you’ve seen your faith bring you closer to God and your partner?

Faith is key.

It’s the patient ear.
The steady hand.

The calm in your eyes that says: Through it all, I believe in us.

It’s the gentle stuff that says:

“I’m here for you, no matter what.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please comment and “like” this post if you feel led to.

#Love #Kindness #Patience #Humor #Faith #Relationships #GoingTheDistance #IandThouReflections