Loving faith

"Love is a fragile thing, and some elements in life can try to break it. Much damage can be done if we are not in tender hands, caring hands. To give ourselves totally to another person, as we do in marriage, is the most trusting step we take in any human relationship. It is a real act of faith—faith all of us must be willing to exercise. If we do it right, we end up sharing everything—all our hopes, all our fears, all our dreams, all our weaknesses, and all our joys—with another person.
No serious courtship or engagement or marriage is worth the name if we do not fully invest all that we have in it and in so doing trust ourselves totally to the one we love. You cannot succeed in love if you keep one foot out on the bank for safety's sake. The very nature of the endeavor requires that you hold on to each other as tightly as you can and jump in the pool together. "
~Jeffery R Holland

So I've spent a lot of time the last year or so thinking of the importance of commitment, of relationships,  and of being one with someone. What does it take, how do you know when to commit completely- even if it's just to date. What didn't I do right the first time, every time, and where do I go from here. 

Well that's a lot of questions. Fortunately though, I know how to get the answers! It takes time and patience, give and take, and a lot of faith. But when we feel like we're trying to have faith in the Lord and his timing. When we're trying to decide what to do and when and with whom it's right to jump in with... I think our Heavenly Father is right there with us. Waiting to see what we decide. Waiting to see when we'll figure out that He's waiting on us- so why do we keep waiting on Him. 

Well, going back to my first thought... we know in our hearts what is right. I feel like I spent so much time trying to figure out how and who and what to be that I almost forgot how simple it really is. I'm supposed to just be me. Because that's the person I'm best at being, and nobody else is gonna do it. And no one else can pull it off quite like I can :)

We have been born with the ability to reason things out. To find the faults in the reasonings of men and the adversarial influences that are all around us- even in the way we ourselves think. The father of lies is everywhere and in everything. So stop looking everywhere else for answers and focus on you, and the Lord. We all have the light of Christ in us to guide and direct us. The choices we choose need to be based off of those things the spirit confirms to us are good or best for whatever circumstance we may be in. Have faith in YOU and trust that you are all grown up, and you know what's right. Then choose to do it. 

The love that Elder Holland speaks of can only be had with faith. Faith precedes the miracle- and the miracle we're talking about is mainly a solid, committed, growing relationship. But faith has so many more applications than just that. So go ahead and practice a little everywhere else just to make sure you get it down. Trust in yourself. Have faith in and trust in your Eternal Father in Heaven. He has known you the longest and knows you the best. And as His child... He not only wants it for you more than anything- but you deserve the best. And He has provided a way to have ultimate pure joy. 

Don't be afraid to commit, be afraid not to. Because in not challenging yourself, in not committing, in keeping away from heartbreak and change, hurt and pain, you are totally trying to avoid the plan of salvation. You're trying to win the race when you haven't even trained for it.