Well I must admit I am not a harlequin romance novelist, but I do know a thing or two about romances. I know what it’s like to see a boy and feel like you’re going to melt. Today, we would describe him as “hot!” As I think back, my first summer love was when we took a vacation with my new family. My mother had just passed away and so I moved in with my father and his new bride, equipped with 2 younger sisters and 2 brothers, one who is 6 months my senior. It was quite a change for me since I came from a family where I was the youngest of 3 other siblings and now I was the “older” sister, which I really liked. That summer we were visiting a friend of my new family and they had a son who was really cute. I was one of those girls who always fell for the “cute” guys! As I’m sharing this, I remember one time I was with friends at a theme park, not sure of the name, but this guy walked by and I mean girls he was gorgeous! I can remember him so clearly, long blond hair and beautiful blue eyes, I was in such awe that I could not take my eyes off of him as he walked by and it felt as though my jaw dropped to the ground, that’s how stunned I was! Well, back to “cute” guy on vacation. We pulled up in the driveway and brought our luggage into the house and there he was. If I remember correctly (this is so many years ago) we were about the same age. We hung out a lot together with my new little sister who was 2 years younger than me and I remember her getting so upset because I “always” got the cute guys! I’m sure she’d laugh at that now, but at the time she was pretty jealous.
It was your typical young summer romance when girl meets boy and you go for walks, hold hands and experience that first kiss. This would be the beginning of many summer romances (before I was married). As time went by and I grew older the romances became less innocent and more passionate which led to the breaking of my heart multiple times. I learned quickly about the slyness of boys and their luring lines and I had no one that I could turn to, no one to help me with my raging hormones and how to control them.
It wasn’t until I was much older that I finally met my “First Love” He showed me what “real” love is and that it had nothing to do with physical attraction. He taught me that I was worth something and to have confidence in myself. He has also taught me that I could be loved by another without it turning into something physical. Yes girls, I fell in love alright, but it wasn’t the way you may think. I met someone who loved me more than I could ever know. And that because he loved me so much he died for me and because of his Fathers love, he was raised to life again. I remember my family was not at home and I read this little booklet that talked about this man and how much he loved me, even with all the mistakes that I had made. I learned that he was not ashamed of me, no, on the contrary. That night when I prayed I felt his love, it was as if someone put a blanket over me. I cried, but they were tears of joy not sadness. I no longer felt empty: I felt more alive than I had ever felt in my entire life. It was that night that I met my first love and his name is Jesus. The Bible says, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
It is my prayer that you come to know “this” love. A true love that will never leave you or break your heart. Nor will this love take advantage of or abandon you. It will always be there for you no matter where you are or what you’re doing now. It is not ashamed of your past mistakes. Yet His love for you is full of mercy, forgiveness and compassion. He’s here for you right now. All you have to do is invite him into your heart and life. He is a gentleman, he will never force his way or his will upon you. Yet he waits patiently, waiting for you to open your heart. Waiting for you to pray this prayer similar to the one I prayed many years ago, “Jesus, I believe in You. I want you to be the love of my life. Come into my life and into my heart. Forgive me of all my mistakes. Help me to live a life of making better choices. Show me how to follow you and walk with you. You promise to never leave me or abandon me. Be my Lord and my Savior, and thank you for your amazing Love”
If you said that prayer from your heart, then you are now a Christian, a believer and follower of Jesus. I encourage you to find a church that teaches that Jesus is your Savior and that teaches his words about faith and love. I encourage you to read the book of John in the new testament. It will give you a good understanding of who Jesus is, how he lived his life and what he teaches his followers. You can also read my other writings here at ninatidwell.com that will help you understand more about God’s amazing love and how to live by faith. You can also follow me on Facebook: “Pastor Nina Tidwell” or Ponce Church Surfside~Ponce Inlet, FL
