Crisp air. Christmas cookies. Friends. Twinkling lights. These are just a few things that made this past weekend one of the best that I have had in a very, long time.

Things can be going so inexplicably good, and then the slightest nudge can make us fall into a deep, dark pit.

Up until Sunday afternoon, it had been by far THE greatest weekend. Sunday afternoon, I was out to lunch with friends. All of a sudden, a comment was made that totally threw me off my game. On the outside, I had tried to show that I was having a great time, but on the inside I was cringing. I was constantly looking to the restaurant kitchen in hopes of my salad coming out any minute, so I could scarf it down and politely exit.

After a few minutes, I knew my face hadn’t gotten the “happy” memo. I knew I looked like I wasn’t having a great time, and to be totally honest, I wasn’t.  I was dwelling on what was said to the point where I couldn’t think of anything else.

After I asked for the check and slurped down my raspberry lemonade, I stood up and walked out confidently, or at least tried to appear confident until I was no longer in view of where I had just been seated.

Fast forward a few hours and I was still trying not to dwell on the conversation at lunch, but I couldn’t help it. I was unintentionally throwing myself the ultimate pity party, and I couldn’t see the party ending anytime soon.

With my phone battery needing a good charging and my charger not wanting to cooperate, I decided to go to a nearby store in hopes of getting a charger. As I was backing out of my parking space, I looked at the Christian bookstore that I LOVE to go to. I knew I didn’t really need a new book, but wanted to just look around. Ha, yeah right, I was totally going to buy a new book.

I don’t know about you but it can take me a while to find the perfect book. I have to read part of the first chapter. Obviously, I’m not just going to walk in and pick a book without even reading what it’s about. Anyway, I had found the book I was going to purchase. I even managed some small talk with the cashiers.

After making my purchase, I turn around and walk my usual brisk pace. All of a sudden, a gentleman looking at a nearby book said to me as I was passing by, “Jesus loves you”. I stopped, turned and stared for a second that felt like a minute. (I can tend to make things awkward). I didn’t even say anything, but instead continued my brisk pace into the cold night air. The moment I stepped outside, I knew God had used that gentleman to encourage and remind me of God’s love.

The whole afternoon was basically ruined because I had allowed myself to fester on someone else’s words.

I should have never wasted those hours on a few words.

As women, it can be easy to constantly compare, let negative thoughts run ragged through our brain, or let someone’s words get to us.

We can feel like no one understands or we will never measure up and we don’t have to. God didn’t create us to compare ourselves to others. He definitely didn’t create us so that we would doubt Him and His love for us.

We are fearlessly and wonderfully made in God’s image for a unique purpose. We are loved by an amazing God.

Jeremiah 31:3  “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, [saying], Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

God loves us with an everlasting love, meaning His love for us never ends.

Why waste our day away dwelling on other people and their actions? Why dwell on circumstances we can’t change?

Why not dwell on God’s amazing love for us?

God is love and God loves you, beautiful girl.