When Did You Fall (Chris Rice)

I'm kind of obsessed with relationships right now, can you tell? This song is about (I assume) a guy who finally realizes how he feels about a girl, and that she's felt this way about him for awhile. He's wondering what he missed along the way...

I think it's adorable. And I'm delighted to say that it's kind of like the story of a friend. She recently started dating someone who she's known for a long time, but only in the past year or so really became close to and started dating. (It's the best story!)

It's sort of what I always envisioned for myself. I had a crush for 6 years in middle and high school. I always expected this guy to figure out, "Oh wait, this girl is fantastic! What took me so long to figure it out?!" Well...that didn't happen. He went off in the military, I went off to school, I realized how much we both changed, and now he's engaged to a girl he met online.

The really beautiful thing about this new couple, though, is the way they're being totally open, honest, and intentional about maintaining a respectful, respectable, Christ-centered/honoring relationship. They want to conduct themselves in such a way that if they every break up, they'll both be the better for the experience (and won't cause any tension between their families). So they're going to read the Bible together. They're not going to kiss. And they're keeping open lines of communication.

I've often wondered how one goes about having a "Christ-centered" relationship. As if it's some secret goal that I will have in my relationship and I'll spend my time apart thinking about how I can steer us in that direction. But it shouldn't be like that at all! If anything, I've heard it said over and over, the person you are in a relationship with should be your best friend. They should know what's wrong before you even say anything. There's no hiding your motives, intentions, and struggles. So it's not like this game that Christian couples need to play with each other. It's a concentrated effort that needs to be made. Hmm...maybe like all other aspects of the Christian walk.

I'm just excited for this couple. It's been a blessing already to see the way they've conducted themselves. It's ideal, from my viewpoint. It's what I want. So of course, I'm thrilled for my friend.

I also want to share that God has been at work in me lately. He's been drawing me to Himself. For some reason (not because of any particular guilt- or spiritually-driven endeavor on my part), I have had consistent devotions for the past week. I'm *finally* getting around to diving into a study of the fear of the Lord. What does this mean? What does a healthy fear of the Lord look like?

I'm realizing that God brings me close to him when he knows that I'll be tried. (Hmm...I'll have to look out for that.) I had my best devotions during my 6 weeks at Governor's School. I needed to cling to God at that point. And as I look at my work load and realize how overwhelming this year will be, I'm realizing that I will need to cling to God now again. (When have I NOT needed to cling to Him?!)

I'm thrilled. I'm invigorated. I'm glad to share it with people. I'm content with the work He is doing. And I'm keeping my eyes peeled for the adventures he has in store for me.