Modern Cotton: I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!

Have I told you? I'm in a relationship, and it's getting serious. I think I'm in love.

Francis Chan describes it best when he says, "When you are truly in love, you go to great lengths to be with the one you love. You'll drive for hours to be together, even if it's only for a short while. You don't mind staying up late to talk. Walking in the rain is romantic, not annoying. You'll willingly spend a small fortune on the one you're crazy about. When you are apart from each other, it's painful, even miserable. He or she is all you think about; you jump at any chance to be together."

Yep, I'd say that's about right, wouldn't you? Well for those that are wondering, I'm describing my relationship with God. (at least what I'm aiming for)

As a girl, single or not, we grow up imagining who we will end up with; it's only natural, right? Playing songs like Rebecca St. James' "Wait For Me," Ed Cash's "Marry Me," and Miranda Lambert's "Lovesong," but do we ever stop to think about our relationship with God?

I didn't used to. The seed was planted in my heart last summer when I went through the Bible study "Knowing God" with Sunday school class. Every week was a struggle with exercises encouraging you to build a relationship with God not just follow him or believe His word. I often expressed my frustration to my teacher and friend, Jess, saying it's just soo hard because he's not here like a real friend. I can't see him, touch him, hear his advice. This was a constant battle for me that I kind of worked at but let slide once school started. This summer, while fervently chasing my dreams, I began the process of surrendering my my life to God in the form of a committed relationship.

It's not always easy, but I'm trying to chase after him the way I'd chase after a crush. Spending time with Him daily through quiet time, devotions, scripture readings, and prayer is how this relationship grows. It takes dedication and persistence, but it's well worth the end result. I'm also one of those people who hears God best through music and can see God best through nature.

I warn you: this relationship will NOT bloom overnight, no decent relationship can, and it will not always be easy to love God, just like it's not always easy to love your friends or partner or anyone.

"The fact is, I need God to help me love God. And if I need His help to love Him, a perfect being, I definitely need his help to love other, fault-filled humans. Something mysterious, even supernatural must happen in order for a genuine love for God to grow in our hearts. The Holy Spirit has to move in our lives." -Francis Chan

Ask God to give you this desire every day, and He will. Once you have it, it's hard to imagine how you ever lived without it, much like a tangible relationship. And don't get me wrong, I'm still very much waiting for my Prince Charming, but my love bank is full right now with my current relationship with God. So, I can't complain much.

After all,

"This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long."