Category: Patrice London

AUTHOR: Patrice London

Good morning! First thing’s first, please help me wish Russ Painter a very Happy Birthday today!! Russ has been a very integral part of helping me get to a point where I am able to accept unconditional love from our Heavenly Father as he is one of several men I now know personally, who truly live and love this way.

With getting a firm grasp on God’s love, God is now teaching me to accept love in other areas of my life, namely, my marriage.

Some things happen in layers. For some, when a decent or reasonable father figure isn’t present in their lives, they have trouble relating to a Heavenly Father that they can’t see or touch, all while having this space, that only our Heavenly Father can fill.

Living the royal life is being able to accept unconditional love where it exists and being able to give it as well.
I have a pretty good handle on giving it, but have had many issues accepting it.

Early this year, someone dear to me prophesied that this would be the year I would begin to see how very much I am loved and by whom. It is happening left and right, and in several different relationships. I wrote about one relationship in a blog post a few days ago and wanted to share my experience with you.

The surprises have continued pouring in, even after the surprises I wrote about in my blog post. Just this past Sunday, I got a surprise visit from cousins from Maryland and California. We had a lovely time together.
I am focusing on opening my heart to accept love more and pray you do the same in your life.

Here’s the blog post I mentioned…
Waking Up to Love

AUTHOR: Patrice London

Years ago, I was to write 5 things in my journal that I loved about myself. I could only think of 2. I was frustrated and baffled. I sat for a long while and just couldn’t think of anything to write.

Fast forward a good 16-17 years, I came across a post from a friend. She asked people to write 10 things that make them a beautiful person. I challenged myself to do it and am pleased to present my completed list! And guess what? I can think of more!!!! Whoo Hoo!! Now, I decided to go really simple and not go all ” woo woo, pretend spiritual” about it.

See, I think we can sometimes be a bit self-deprecating, in Jesus’ name, no less. We repeat things that are sometimes, actually in the Bible, but not necessarily God’s sentiment towards us. I want to encourage you to know that God created you, on purpose, idiosyncrasies and all, because He wanted YOU. He didn’t want a clone of His son Jesus. He didn’t say, “Man… That son of mine is so spectacular, I want more, exactly like him! I’ll give them all free will, but the moment they slip up and do something different, I’m chuckin’ ’em to hell!” I made God sound real country, right? (Not sure why…)

Anyway, He has Jesus. He wanted and wants you, dear heart. He wants you in all your entirety. All that you come with, all that you are, He sees as beautiful and loves you beyond measure. How do you see yourself? It’s very important. It will impact how you live your life and how you experience life.

Share your list below. What are 10 things that make you a beautiful person?

As I said, I thought of more, but here are my first 10:

1. My personality.
2. My love.
3. My smile.
4. My laughter/humor.
5. My compassion.
6. My boundaries.
7. My generosity.
8. My singing.
9. My writing.
10. My pain.

Sending you love today and always!

AUTHOR: Patrice London

We are living in some really trying times, right? More than ever, people are showing their true colors, and sometimes, the colors shown aren’t exactly, well, vibrant.

Something that is getting my attention more and more is how Jesus conducted himself with various relationships. He was nobody’s fool. He told the Pharisee’s a thing or two, on more than one occasion and enjoyed the relationships he had with those whose hearts were open.

How about you? How are your relationships? One aspect of living the royal life is having and nurturing healthy relationships. When our relationships are healthy, we thrive. Unhealthy relationships, on the other hand, can drag us down.

For a very long time, I normalized unhealthy relationships simply because I love people. I somehow thought loving them included taking whatever they decided to dish out, over and over again even when there was no willingness to acknowledge or change their behavior . God has shown me that this isn’t how He wants me, or any of us, to live.
Now, I consider the following few questions when I seek to evaluate various relationships:

1. Do I feel a sense of safety with this person?
2. Do I feel seen, heard and understood in this relationship?
3. Do I feel valued and important in an empowering way?
4. Am I able to easily get the encouragement I give?
5. Does any part of me sense feelings of warning or danger within this relationship?
6. Can I trust and be trusted in this relationship?

I’m sure there are many other things to consider. These are just a few questions to get you thinking. My prayer is, should you find some unhealthy relationships exist in your life, you will do what is needed to care for yourself and set appropriate boundaries or separate yourself altogether.

As the Passion Translation of Roman’s 13:9(c) states, “Love and value others the same way you love and value yourself”. For me, God flipped it around and asked me if I was loving and valuing myself in the same way I love and value others. The answer at that time was no.

It goes both ways, Friend. I pray that you learn to cultivate healthy relationships in your life and make changes as needed in the ones that aren’t. I pray that you truly love and value yourself along with loving and valuing others. Be well in every way.

AUTHOR: Patrice London