In 2015 I went to ministry school and ended up living in a discipleship community that forever changed my life. Prior to experiencing Grace Place, my history has been pretty selfish, living off the cuff, not being super invested in friendship, church, and even myself and my relationship with God. I was pretty much flakey at best.

But my time at GP was life changing. I was surrounded by leaders and mentors who had intentionally laid down their lives to serve us and love us. In my life I have never experienced being loved so hard and so well. It almost left me uncomfortable most days because I had no idea people (other than my parents) could care this deeply. For the first time in my life, I had someone who reminded me of who I am. I was surrounded by people who cared about my heart and would not allow me to disconnect or withdraw from others due to living from a place of fear. I had friends that listened to the secrets of my heart and had no fear, judgement or ridiculous solutions to “fix” me. They simply loved me with intention. Pursued me with intention. I had leaders who weren’t afraid to get down and dirty to wash my feet or leave a pack of lush and surprises on my bed for me to “casually” remind me that they know me (from my favorite chips, to the written promises). I was surrounded by powerful leaders who didn’t lead with an iron fist, but rather from a place of love. Leaders who weren’t afraid to confront me in love and kindness when I acted outside of my character, basically reminding me that I was better than the way I was acting. Somehow, even these awkward confrontations left me feeling promoted. No shame, no guilt, no condemnation. I was safe. Which was a big deal. For the first time in my life, my heart was safe amongst friends and leaders. I knew their heart’s intention was towards me. To flourish. To prosper. Honestly, I never had anyone up to that point that fought and pursued my heart with so much passion and intention. ⠀⠀⠀⠀

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And in this process, I grew to know Him, as the Father of all intentionality...as these incredible leaders and mentors poured into my life, I experienced Him, The Father of Love. I finally got to understand that we love because He loved us first. Grace Place showed me this. I walked out of that environment knowing that I was loved and worth investing into. Being intentionally pursued like that for a whole year, it changes you. One can never go back the same. I could no longer go back and be partly invested, or flakey. I could no longer hide. All I could do was love and love hard. Pursue friendships with intention. To go deep into Him and with Him. Because that is what changed me.

1 John 4:19
“Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us”

And that, my beloved friends, is how love and intentionality changed me. I hope this encourages your heart to pay attention to those people around you, the ones investing in you and loving you. And may you fully know that you are so worth being pursued.