Unscripted Love: A Guide to Realizing True Love, Forgiveness & Healing Through a Closer Walk with God.

By Farah Andrea Smith

Love. A word we all hear all the time. It's become as popular as saying "good morning." Yet, have you ever wondered how such a simple four letter word, could have such a strong impact and so many different interpretations and meanings? It seems so easy and effortless to love material things, but when we apply the same concept to loving people or "being in love" with someone, the word love begins to get distorted and takes on a whole new form.

So let's take a journey through "Unscripted Love" where you will discover what true love should look and feel like, embrace forgiveness, and experience emotional healing as you draw near to the heart of God.

"Your beauty is flawless, there is none that compares to you. As the rain dews from the heavens, and refreshes the earth, so does the radiance of your presence, as it emanates light upon even the very darkest of places. You are resilient. You are strong. You have been crushed but never broken, for You know what it's like to experience Unscripted Love."

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491873625

Farah Andrea Smith

About The Author Meet Farah Andrea Smith, a well versed writer from the heart of New York City, who has used her life experiences as a cumulative turning point and inspiration to write this book. Farah has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Legal Studies with minors in Psychology and English. A Woman of God with a spiritual fire and an appreciation for the things of the Kingdom; she wears many hats. A devoted mother of two, a thoughtful, loving and caring daughter, and an active church member, who has sought a deeper relationship with God. Like most of us, she has faced trials and tribulations, but always knew her faith would get her through the troubled waters. The message behind this book is not to highlight her shortcomings, but rather to enlighten you that there are solutions...You just need to have the faith to believe.

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2014 Farah Andrea Smith. All rights reserved.

Cover and Photo Illustrations By J. AuRelio Shaw/Mola Photographic NYC

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/13/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-7363-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-7362-5 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture references throughout this book, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.

Scripture notations noted NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996.

Scripture notations noted NKJV are from The New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Scripture notations noted ASV are from the American Standard Version, for public use. References cited from www.biblegateway.com

Scripture notations noted TLB are from the Living Bible. Copyright © 1971.

New Oxford American Dictionary. Third Edition, August 2010.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1   "I’M PICKING UP MY WEDDING DRESS.

HE’S NOT EVEN LOOKING AT TUXEDOS!"

Chapter 2   LAUGHING ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT CRYING ON THE INSIDE

Chapter 3   LOVE. FROM THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

Chapter 4   LET’S TAKE OFF THE COMBAT BOOTS AND PUT ON OUR DANCING SHOES

Chapter 5   BAGGAGE CHECK IS FOR AIRPORTS, NOT FOR RELATIONSHIPS!

Chapter 6   "PROTECT YOUR HEART.

NO BARBWIRE REQUIRED."

Chapter 7   TRUE LOVE DOES NOT REQUIRE A SCRIPT

Chapter 8   TRUE LOVE COMPLEMENTS, NOT JUST COMPLIMENTS

Chapter 9   7 TIPS—LEARNING TO LOVE YOURSELF

Chapter 10   TO THE ONE I LOVE.

LOVE LETTERS FROM THE HEART

Chapter 11   MY TESTIMONY

Chapter 12   HEALED, WHOLE & WHOLESOME!

Dedicated to those who have taken a ride on the emotional roller coaster that love and life sometimes takes us on and have endured; and

To those who have lived vicariously, loved freely, lost sadly, gained hopefully and rejoiced exuberantly!

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Proverbs 31: 30 NIV ~ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Acknowledgements

Above all, I give all glory and honor to God because without inspiration from The Lord, the expressions and thoughts that were in my heart could never have been made into a tangible gift.

To my family, especially my mom who encouraged me from the beginning when I shared with her the first three chapters, to get my work published, and to my cousin Al Ogilvie, who was there to encourage and keep me focused through every phase of compiling this book.

To my Pastors and my church family, who embraced me on the very first day I began attending my church, and taught me what Unscripted Love should look and feel like.

To my photographer, J. AuRelio Shaw/Mola Photographic who picked up my project, saw my vision, ran with it, and brought my ideas to life through his gift of photography.

To my publishers at AuthorHouse, LLC, for your professional mannerism, I thank you. I greatly appreciate the time and creative effort that my design team put into polishing my manuscript and designing my book cover into a beautiful work of art.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who saw me through this book, too many to name individually, but please know that I love and appreciate you all. Special mention goes to my friend, Eboni Jones, a woman of God who inspired me with her own accomplishment of writing a book on her life story and who is always encouraging me with a word from The Lord; to my Sister in Christ, Alva Allen, who kept me covered in prayer and assisted with wardrobe and design; and to all my friends and loved ones who provided support, talked things over, offered comments, and assisted in editing and proofreading,

I cannot thank you all and express my gratitude enough. I’m truly humbled by this writing experience and I pray that this book has greatly blessed everyone who reads it.

INTRODUCTION

To: Anyone Who Has Ever Pondered The Notion Of The Four Letter Word… LOVE

Love. A word that we use liberally and hear all the time, oftentimes not realizing that this simple, yet beautiful word has a profound impact, and has so many different interpretations and meanings. For example, Girl, these new heels I just purchased are the business! I’m in love! Or Man I love this new video game! The graphics are amazing! It seems so simple and easy to love material things, but when we apply the same concept to loving people or being in love with someone, the word love begins to get distorted. So, what exactly is true love?

I am not a love expert. I am not a relationship guru. I am by no means passing judgment on anyone nor am I claiming to be holier than thou as I share my perspectives and God given insight in this book. I am asking that you look past the author and listen to what the spirit of the Lord wants to say to you. Everything in this book may or may not apply to you, but it is my sincere hope that you will be enlightened and uplifted in some way, and that this book would be a blessing to you. This is not a self-help book. It is a God-will-help book.

Now, I have experienced a lot of disappointment on the love journey. However, instead of taking the negative experiences I’ve encountered (and not all the experiences were negative, some were, in fact, blissful) and using them to sink into depression or become bitter, I was inspired (thank you God) to sit, write, and share my heart with you.

This book was written based on some of my life experiences to hopefully give you an insight as to your personal application of what true love is. So as we journey through this book together, open your mind to see both sides of the narratives that will be expressed (this is not a male bashing book, as I hope to reach the hearts of men who may read this as well) and open your hearts, if you have been hurt or are currently going through a hurt, to know that true love does not hurt, true love does heal and you will be able to completely love again. Let’s begin.

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CHAPTER 1

"I’M PICKING UP MY WEDDING DRESS.

HE’S NOT EVEN LOOKING AT TUXEDOS!"

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