"...But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, ever quit."

-Psalms 86 

"But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do that lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."

-1 Corinthians 13:13

Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. What a goal! This year, more than others (I don't know why), I've been asked the question: "What do you want to be known for when your time on earth is over? What do you want people to say about you?" I guess I never really had a solid answer. I said the Christian-y things: "For loving Jesus and loving others" all the while focusing on homework to do, lunch to eat, and friends to talk to. I have never really sat down and pondered that question. And I think it's important to do so. As Christians, we are called to do so. If we don't focus on why we're here and strive for what is to come in the next life, we're wasting our lives and wasting time. 

So? Our goal? 

Trust steadily in God. In the mountains and the valleys. When your car is stuck in the snow and you're wondering if you're going to make it to class on time. Trust him with your life. Every part.

Hope unswervingly. Un-swerve-ingly. Without straying from the course. Hope for the impossible and the insane: the miracles. Sounds kind of like a child-like hope... :) 

And love. Extravagantly. Not looking for the faults in others or in the circumstance, but finding joy instead. And that is a choice! Sometimes easier than others, but always a choice. We have a choice to love like Jesus. To love "tenderly and kindly" and "never ever quit".

So I know that this doesn't really have anything to do with the picture, but I liked the picture and wanted to post it anyway. ;)