For the entire months of November and December, I watched a lot of Hallmark movies.

Like … A LOT of Hallmark movies.

Some of them I watched more than once. Others were new, or at least new to me.

The other day, I found myself thinking it might be time to resume watching the Hallmark channel. Then I stopped to ask myself, “Why?” Why the desire to return to that channel when I had not watched it for a single minute during the month of January.

My answer kind of surprised me. Sure the movies are slightly corny. Predictable. But here’s the thing …

They are soothing. They remind me that life can exist without drama. There are people in the world who are good and kind and caring. Love can be deep, intimate, and forever.

Need I say more?

Oh yeah, one more thing … the girl always get the kiss at the end. Love wins. All the time.

Or maybe, it’s just that I need to be reassured there is truly such a thing as a happy ending. You know, like the kind in fairy tales … “and they lived happily ever after.”

Then I bring myself back to reality, or at least my reality …

~ there’s a load of clothes in the dryer for the last two days,
~ the dishwasher has needed to be emptied, for two days now (can you see the pattern?),
~ my mouth engaged without thinking,
~ said mouth hurt someone’s feelings.

My days don’t always tie up neat and pretty like a Hallmark movie. Perhaps yours don’t either. But —

These days are our story and we need to embrace them.

If we listen to anyone (including ourselves) other than our Father, the standard will constantly change, and we will spend our lives comparing and remaking ourselves to find approval, acceptance, and love. But if we acknowledge our maker and redeemer’s rightful authority to define us, we will experience the love and security that come from discovering and seeing ourselves through his design and eyes.
(from An Imperfect Woman, by Kim Hyland, page 181)

God has ordained each one of our days according to His perfect plan for our lives. And yes, due to being imperfect, we each will fail, fall, and stumble through some of our days.

But here’s the thing … our lives … they are lived here and now but they will last now and forever. There is no ending. And so today, I am reminding myself of this promise:

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT)

If you’re looking for me, I may just be watching in a Hallmark movie!

Today I am joining … Trekking Thru the Week and #RaRaLInkup and Teaching What Is Good .