The world tells us what love is, which is clearly working out very well for no one. Good people tell us what love is, which might work okay for a time. The church tells us how to love, which works well when we listen. The Bible tells us how to love, which only works when we surrender self.
After 41 years of life and 20 years of marriage, this is what I’ve just discovered: I don’t really know what it means to truly love others. Much of the way I’ve loved people has been self-seeking. I want them to like me. I want to keep the peace. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
I. I. I. There is no I in love. Not if I want to love the Jesus way.
The past several months, I’ve been searching scripture and listening as God teaches me that loving others has nothing to do with what I think and everything to do with who God is. These love lessons can be applied in friendship and in parenting, but most importantly, they should be applied in marriage.
I invite you to join me in this journey. This class will not be provided to you by a teacher who has mastered the art of loving her husband perfectly (right, Matt?). Nope, it’s just me. Hi! {waving} I’m just your crazy butter-loving friend – learning to listen, learning to seek Jesus, learning to surrender my heart so I can love the Jesus way.
Women can be…shall we say ~ emotional? (God help us. No really.) This class is brought to you by a girl who appears strong to many but is a mess quite frequently. Emotional much, Laura? Mercy.
How do you sign up to be a part of this class? I’ll make it easy. Simply show up right here every Thursday for the next 6 weeks. Come as you are. You don’t even have to brush your hair. Shoot, I don’t even have to brush my hair. {high fives all around}
God loves our messy, seeking selves. He loves our desire to love and to be loved. He rejoices over our surrendered heart.
Join me!! Who’s in?
A bit of housekeeping:
- If you want to be sure to avoid missing a class, sign up here to receive our free daily newsletter.
- If you prefer reading straight from the blog, and you miss stopping by on a Thursday, you are fresh out of luck. Just kidding. Simply find the following button over on our side bar, click, and catch up on all you missed.
We’ll be journaling our way through this class, taking time to reflect, and examining scripture. There will be printables. There will be a test (not really). Click on the link below to download the cover page for your journal.
Download A Surrendered Heart Journal Cover Here.
You’ll get new printables each class to add to your journal. I recommend spending 33¢ on a folder like this:
Then glue your cover on the front like this:
Then each week you’ll get printables to add to your folder like this:
I’m keeping this journal right by my Bible to work through as I can – and as I need to refocus my heart to love my husband the Jesus way.
Alrighty? Have any questions? Invite your friends, invite your neighbors, invite people you’ve never met. This class is free, no strings attached. I’m excited to explore A Surrendered Heart with you!
Leave a comment here letting us know you’ll be joining our class! We’ll officially begin with Class #1 on April 23. In the meantime, prepare your journal and be praying for God to help you surrender your heart to love the Jesus way.
Joy says
Can’t wait to join you in this study! I have been feeling conviction in this area so your study in timed perfectly (isn’t God’s timing alway perfect?). Such pretty artwork on the cover page.
Andrea says
Would love to be part of this class.
Monica says
I’m in.
Melissa M. says
Yes! I am excited to participate!
Amber says
I’ll join. Thank you so much for all you do!
Reagan says
I’m in!! Can’t wait!!
Deena says
I so needed this, how do you know these things, Laura? It’s kinda frightening how you seem to post these types of things right in the midst of when I need to hear them. Did my husband call you? Ha, Ha.
Deena says
I so needed this, how do you know these things, Laura? It’s kinda frightening how you seem to post these types of things right in the midst of when I need to hear them. Did my husband call you? Ha, Ha.
Rhonda Nice says
This is perfect! God has laid it on my heart many times that I have trouble with loving others as I should. Thanks.
Michele M. says
Thank you for this!
Lesley says
I will join!
Jane J. says
I’m in too!
Laura says
I plan to join in!
Teresa Yb says
I’m in! We finished a weekly Bible study at church before Easter, and I have missed it. This will be a perfect next thing.
joanna n. says
can’t wait; sounds absolutely perfect! thanks for sharing this great devotional course!
Kathryn says
Laura, I have read your blog for quite a while and our family is enjoying many of your recipes as we strive to eat more real food. But most of all I love your honest, Christian heart for Jesus. We are in a music ministry ( my husband and me, and our three girls…ages 8, 10 and 12) and I homeschool and we live on a farm. I am constantly “serving” others….three meals a day, cleaning, schooling, practicing, feeding animals, gardening, etc. …. But I also know that daily I must commit my life, my hours, my minutes, my days and my actions to Christ. I cannot fall into the world’s trap of “being appreciated” (Hey, Look at ME and all I do!) and comparing all I do to what I perceive others as doing (nobody works as hard as ME!). These thoughts reveal a heart that is not focused on serving The Lord by serving others, but one that is looking for the appreciation and recognition of others. Thank you for your online ministry and I look forward to this study! God Bless you!
Kayla says
I’m in.
RaShell S says
I’m in! Sounds great! :) Thank you.
Amanda says
I want this..no, I NEED this!!
Anne says
I’ve been married for almost 36 years and I am so happy to participate in this study! God is good and we always have the need to refocus! Thanks.
DonnaB says
I am excited about joining this class! Thank you, Laura!
JoAnne says
I’m looking forward to being part of this.
Jessica says
I’m looking forward to this. Thank u for your faithfulness to The Lord. And being willing to teach other.
Vickie Houser says
Nice! :)
Diane says
I would love to join in this study. Thanks for the invite. Learning to love in a biblical way is something I have longed to do.
Jocy says
I’m in!!! Soon i’ll be celebrating 7 years of marriage, so this will be good. Thank you Laura!
K. Ann Guinn says
I also, need to work on loving my husband of going-on-twenty-six years better! I would be honored to be included. Thanks!
Karen says
I’m in! What a great idea for a class. BTW, the picture on your printable materials is beautiful!
Pam D says
I’ll be here with you every Thursday – as I am most every day. I so appreciate your encouragement and inspiration as a Christian wife and mom, and I’m really looking forward to this study with you. Thanks so much for all your hard work!
Sarah T. says
I was just playing last night for help in not nagging and help reminding me why I still love My husband. I definitely think He is telling me what I need to do since this post was in my email this morning. I’m looking forward to learning how to love as I was meant to! Thank you for hosting these, Laura!
Danielle says
I’m in, this came a just the right time for me!
Karlene says
Going to join in. Thanks!
Melisa says
I need this.
michelle says
Totally in! Love love love!!!
Lisa says
Sounds great, I’m in! Thanks!
Edith says
I’m in! Even after all these years, there are times i wonder if i know what love really is. Looking forward to it!
Nanabella says
God’s perfect timing… I prayed on Sunday that He would help me to better love my husband… And here YOU are Laura… Thank you Lord…
Shelley says
Joining!
Tiffany says
Hi all! I’m new to this website and I will defiantly join in .I need help on this matter especially in my marriage. We have gone through so much and I can’t seem to get it right . I’m willing to try anything just to be a better wife and mother to my children.
Brandi says
Oh yes, I’m in…much needed at the moment! Thanks! :)
Meghann green says
I’m in :) this is going to be great
Amy Tucker says
Looking forward to this opportunity………..thanks & blessings on you!! ;o)
Natasha Duncan says
Can wait to join you. Thank you in advance!
Ruthie says
Count me in!
Erica says
Perfect timing. I’m so in!!!
Chasity says
Sounds good! I would like to join.
Rebecca says
I was just looking for a six week study to do before the busy summer starts. I’m very excited to see you are hosting one. I will join the group.
michelle mccormick says
I am for sure in, looking forward to it
Emmy says
This sounds great! Thanks for doing this and for the journaling pages. I have just started journaling, so this comes at a great time!
Robin says
I’m in! Thank you!!
Wendy Hoff says
Yes, I do think I should do this.
Alison says
I’m in!
shelli says
I would love to do this
Lisa says
I totally need this, looking forward to this series!
Ashley says
So need some encouragement in this area. Looking forward to learning!
Christi says
The devil wants our marriages. And in Jesus’s name, he’s not getting mine! Thank you for doing this!!
Lana H. says
Thank you!! Praying for the leading and blessing of the Holy Spirit all the way!
Julie says
Looking forward to it!
Kayla says
I am in. The devil has been fighting hard. This is just what i need right now. Thanks
Karen S says
Count me in!
Kathryn says
This is a great idea. I’m in :)
Cassie says
I’m in! Thank you for doing this.
Rebekah Walden says
I have been married for 47 years but I’m always interested in learning more about what God says to us about how to love. Thank you for doing this.
Heather says
I’m in
Angela S says
Very much looking forward to this. My oldest daughter is graduating in just a few weeks, too. I need God’s word so much right now as we celebrate and I begin to let her go.
Crystal Doss says
I would love to do this. Couldn’t have come at a better time.
Dee says
I am looking forward to these lessons. I have had trouble with this all my life.
Katrina says
I’m in. And where did you get that amazing tree art on the cover?? That is just gorgeous
Velda Velazquez says
So in, I am looking forward to this….
Beth S says
I would love to join in on this. Thank you for being so willing to lead us on this journey!
Traci says
Sounds great!
Michele Rowell says
I’m in! Looking forward to it. It sounds like just what the doctor ordered. Doctor Jesus that is.
Sally says
Joining as well!!! Thank you!
Julia says
Hi, I will be joining you for this class; think after 22 years of marriage I still need to learn!!
Lauren says
I am looking forward to this series. :}
STEFANY says
I’m in, thank you!
Shellie says
Thanks for offering this! I’m in.
Karen says
This type of love has been on my mind recently, because of a photo and link of a gentleman in Waco, TX who, along with his wife, go around the city praying for the people and churches. My friend actually saw the gentleman two weeks ago, on an overpass, a staff in each hand and wondered what the crazy guy was doing. Nothing stays a mystery for long with Facebook. To be able to love others more than myself, even family sometimes, can be a challenge many days. Looking forward to the class.
Bethany B. says
I live in Waco and see him often…he definitely loves our city well!!
Lisa Fields says
Setting a reminder for every Thursday! Thank you!
Lesley Lemakos says
I’m in!
Rebecca Laird says
Thanks! I’m in! Uh oh – – that means I really need to get some new ink for my printer now.
Beth says
Count me in! At first I thought you were inviting all of us to your home each Thurs. :)
Cathy says
I am looking forward to this class
Angela says
Yes! This is coming at a perfect time, thank you!
Barbara says
I’m in :-)
Karen says
I’m really looking forward to this and am sharing it so others can join too.
Thank you, Laura!
Brooke says
Awesome!!
Amanda says
I’ll be joining you! Can’t wait!
Deb says
Looking forward to it!
Bethany B. says
I love this! I am totally in!
Kelley says
I am so looking forward to this :)
Amanda says
Looking forward to the class.
Dawn says
Count me in!
Rochelle P. says
Count me in too!!!!
Kristina says
I’m in! Looking forward to it. This is probably a dumb question, but do we need to check in at a certain time on Thursday’s? :)
Laura says
No certain time. (I should have made that more clear to everyone.) I’ll post my thoughts, offer the printables, and open it up for discussion Wednesday night and it will be my top post all day Thursday so that everyone can access it when it is convenient for them that day. :)
Leela says
I’m in! I am going to share this with my sister, she and I had been doing Bible studies together with our Pastor’s wife for a few years now, until she moved away. Maybe she can join us from 3 hours away from me!
Heather D says
i’m in! Expecting Baby #3 (our first girl!) July 5th, and celebrating 15 years of marriage to my sweet hubby (we met at 15 and 17, married at 19 and 21! We were SO young!) Looking forward to prayerfully and thoughtfully investing in our marriage while I’m still in this quiet waiting season.
Becky says
i’m definitely in! :D
Joye says
I’ll be here!
Aimee says
I am excited to be part of this. Thank you!
Tiffany says
Looking forward to it.
Angie says
I plan to do the class and look forward to it!
Diane K says
Can’t wait to start!! Thanks so much!!!
Shauna says
looking forward to the class tomorrow!
Elle says
Count me in!!! I’m so excited!