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Love anyway

You have a choice to make.

I was talking with Scott last night about how painful this election cycle has been, when I suddenly realized, that this is the first presidential election I’ve lived through on Facebook.  I didn’t even have an account four years ago.  I’m usually the first one adopting new technology and staying ahead of the game, but I resisted Facebook because all I heard was complaints about how it made people sad and lonely.  I heard how it sucked their time away, entirely against their will.

I didn’t have time for that.

But when I started HeartStories, I needed a personal profile to set up a business page on Facebook, and thus my account was born.  I thought I could remain anonymous. But within hours, I had friend requests from people I hadn’t seen in years.

You know how that story goes.  

Even though I certainly wish I spent less time scrolling articles that I’m not even …

by Crystal Gornto Love Love In Action Loving Others Loving Yourself The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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The gamble of your gift

Have you ever given a gift to someone thinking it would be so meaningful and special to them, only to found out they weren’t really a fan?  Maybe they thanked you profusely, but ended up never using the item?

Yesterday, I got to hear Jay Utley, one of my favorite teachers, talk about what makes a real gift.

He told a story about how he and his wife had given a very special framed antique as a wedding gift to a young couple.  The first time he was invited to this couple’s house for dinner,  he looked and looked with anticipation to find the special place of honor they’d chosen for the gift.  He was shocked and disappointed to find it hanging over the toilet in the hall bathroom.  What he learned from that experience is this:

“A real gift is a gamble. When we give something, we lose control of it.  A …

by Crystal Gornto Inspiration Inspirational Words Love Love In Action The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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The surrogate sister

 

Facebook is an interesting phenomena of our age.  You can read about and watch one friend experiencing the biggest joy of their life and then scroll down to see another friend’s world collapsing around them.  It can be quite a roller coaster of emotions.

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do. 

Do you press the thumbs up so they know you saw it, even when it’s a post that’s a total thumbs down?  Do you comment and say you’re sorry when there are no words that will help?  Do you say “Happy Birthday” amid a slew of lines repeating the same?

Scrolling through Facebook last night, I was reminded of how important real friendship is in our most important moments.

Do you have a friend who can be called on day and night?  Literally called on?  I don’t mean the friend you can only call when you want to go out and have a good …

by Crystal Gornto Inspirational Words Love Love In Action Love in Family Love in Friendship Loving Others Leave a comment chat
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What to do when we don’t agree

The news of this weekend brought joy for some of us and disappointment for others. 

In the midst of my own feelings about the news, I heard a story that took my breath away.  It’s a story about a father and his daughter.

It’s a story about loving anyway.

This father has devoted his live to ministry in a church, a church that believes the homosexual lifestyle doesn’t align with the bible.   His beloved, oldest daughter is in seminary to be a pastor herself.   She is also gay and in a committed relationship.  As you can imagine, this creates an interesting predicament for them, especially in light of the recent uproar of the nation.

What took my breath away was the position of humility between them.  

It was the decision to realize their enormous differences of belief, and love anyway.  They’re making the deliberate decision to divert from the “path of power” in favor of …

by Crystal Gornto Love Love In Action Priorities 2 comments chat
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If I was there

A long time ago, I bought one of those record a story books at the grocery store.  It’s simply called “If“. It’s been sitting on a shelf in my closet for a long time.  I bought it to record myself reading a story for the boys for times when I might be out-of-town or just out for the night.  I saw it yesterday and decided to record it.  Right then, right there.

Have you ever had one of those moments?

A moment that you felt compelled to do something right then, and didn’t know why.  It was one of those.  So I picked it up, read the directions and started recording.

I wasn’t at all prepared for the emotions that flooded me next.

I wish I was there.  I wish I was with you.  I want to play the games we play and do the things we do.

Think really hard, and imagine I’m there.  Imagine …

by Crystal Gornto Love In Action Love in Family Motherhood Purpose Leave a comment chat
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A story I’m proud to tell

Sole Hope, Uganda

Almost every day lately, I’ve been talking with social entrepreneurs.  It’s amazing to get to listen to their stories.  I’m learning about their businesses and what’s important to each of them.   Together, we’re uncovering the best ways and timing we can partner together.

The most beautiful and compelling part of the conversation is always hearing their “why”.

For every single one of them, there’s a story.  

There’s a story of a specific moment, a trip, or a year of little tugs in their spirit, that led them to say, That’s it.  I’m not going to wait another minute.  I’m going to do something about this!  

The parts of the world they seek to change are all completely different.  They’re bringing hope to children in Uganda by providing shoes.  They’re empowering marginalized women in Egypt by employing them to make jewelry.  Like the story of Amanda I shared yesterday, who is …

by Crystal Gornto Inspirational Women Love In Action Our Story Leave a comment chat
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