What I have learned thus far :

If you are not flourishing and cannot flourish, if a relationship situation is not life-giving to you, it may not be healthy (i.e. what is 'best') for you. Because ultimately, what is best for you is not an ideal or some chiseled chest or hot guy or a certain quality or musical taste. It's your own person state of well-being; it is only the 'best' for you if it is making you better as a person, and the other person is becoming better as well.

Think about what makes up the substance of your relationship. If the substance is sustainable and firm enough of a foundation to build a future upon, keep contributing yourself to it. If the substance is teetering its balance enough to survive the next tiff while shopping in the grocery store but screams of a threat for break-up at the next moment the other person is 'too much' or 'too little' of 'this' or 'that', do not lend your time to making healthy something that is sick and does not want to become better.

Ask yourself: what do I value?
After, ask: what do I realize I also value since being with this person?

Favourite sweet things (in no particular order):

• Milkyway Midnight
• Sour Patch Watermelons
• Yorkshire Peppermint Patties
• Peppermint ice cream
• Mint chocolate chip ice cream
• Pear jelly beans
• Popcorn jelly beans
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (deep dish/king size)

Though I have visions of what God may have in store for me, I have learned in my twenty years of living that ultimately, He is in control. His Will will be done.

I find that sometimes, most times, the most difficult thing for me to do is to pray. To sit down and actually intentionally talk to God about what's going on, what's up with my life and with the lives of others around me, that I love. I think I should do that, though, because if God is who He says He is (which He is), then He will surely be able to change and do and adjust things.

11/01/2012 :

"I hope you remember today just how much he loves you and wants what is best for you. If for any reason he puts you in a difficult place, it is only because there is something to learn and be used for His glory later. Trust Him and what He's doing in your life. It is so good! Honestly, just seeing the light in your eyes last night gave me hope and made me really excited for you. I love you and pray God's protection over you today."

http://vimeo.com/28066212

Forgive.

Forgiven.

Done :

• “You Are Not Your Own”

  Nov 01, 2012
  Do you not know that . . . you are not your own? —1 Corinthians 6:19

  There is no such thing as a private life, or a place to hide in this world, for a man or woman who is intimately aware of and shares in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. God divides the private life of His saints and makes it a highway for the world on one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves. We are called into intimacy with the gospel, and things happen that appear to have nothing to do with us. But God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way. If you refuse, you will be of no value to God in His redemptive work in the world, but will be a hindrance and a stumbling block.

  The first thing God does is get us grounded on strong reality and truth. He does this until our cares for ourselves individually have been brought into submission to His way for the purpose of His redemption. Why shouldn’t we experience heartbreak? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip of pain. We sit down at the door of God’s purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity. And all the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, “Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine.” If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?"
• 
  

  It's a really obscure message from today's devotional, but if anything, I think it conveys that God is capable of using brokenness for his divine purposes that may not yet make sense to us. We'll get there, though.