Tag: love

AN ACT OF LOVE

An act of love can really go a long way to spread kindness and joy to others.

 

On our doorstep this week was a brown bag that had some “goodies” in it and a card with a nice, short, sweet message:

 

 

 

Inside the brown bag were these handmade potholders and aprons:

 

 

Kathy is a friend of the family, thanks to our youngest sons being buddies through the years.  In fact, one year we were blessed to experience a cruise together with them.  Of course, we all have wonderful memories of a treasured time hanging out and enjoying the sights, food, and company.  I noticed the nautical theme with the aprons, which is a nice reminder of our cruise together. 🙂

 

 

I messaged Kathy to thank her so much for her kindness leaving the special surprise delivery.  I thanked her for thinking of us, for just being her, and for the love she put into making the goodies.  Her act of love sure brought a big smile to my face.

What was even more special was her reply, “The whole time I was making the aprons, I kept thinking of all of you helping at the soup kitchen, and I wanted to help the helpers. I just wanted all of you to feel loved and appreciated.”

How powerful is that sentiment?  She wanted to “help the helpers” and “wanted all of you to feel loved and appreciated.”  What a wonderful act of love.

 

She knows our family has helped monthly at a soup kitchen for the last 18 years because her son has helped us out when we were short staffed.  What amazes me is that it was probably at least a year and a half ago when he last helped us…yet she remembered that while she was sewing the aprons!

I responded, “That is so sweet.  What an act of love.  You are appreciated too!”

 

 

With more of God’s perfect timing, two days later we received another special, act of love package, this time in the mail.  My niece and her husband made, with love, these masks for our family.  They were gifted a sewing machine (another act of love!) at the beginning of this pandemic and since then have learned how to sew masks and scrub caps to gift people with!

An act of love can really go a long way to spread kindness and joy to others.

 

 

I can’t help but think of the many acts of love that Jesus did while on this earth.  How many times did He boost the spirit of the lowly, the destitute, and the sinners?  Didn’t He accept them just as they were, which in turn, made them want to change and be better people?

The greatest act of love that Jesus shared was dying on the cross…sacrificing His life to set us free from our sins so we can spend eternity with God and Jesus~~

 

Can you reflect back on your week and think of some acts of love people did to make you feel loved and appreciated?

Some that come to mind in my life are:

–a coworker taking an extra minute, when sending me an email, to also wish me a nice day

–having coffee with a nurse friend of mine that I met at the NICU where I volunteer

–a friend sharing some of their story to show more understanding

 

Conversely, can you reflect back on your week and think of some acts of love you did to make others feel loved and appreciated?

Some that come to mind in my life are:

–sending a surprise gift card to someone to thank them for their help

–asking a friend recovering from surgery if I could bring her a  treat to help brighten their day

–sending a text to a friend to let them know I appreciate their service to our country

 

 

What different acts of love can you do for another this week?  How can you make people feel loved and appreciated?

 

Acts of love make this world a better place.
Yes, we can change the world, one act of love at a time!
Acts of love emit a ripple effect of goodness in this world.
An act of love can really go a long way to spread kindness and joy to others!  “Just because” is a great reason to bless another with an act of love.

 

 

In the comment section below, feel free to share ways you have been blessed with an act of love or where you have done an act of love for another.  Sharing helps us learn and see how God is at work in this world.  Blessings~~

 

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  –Hebrews 10:24  (NLT)

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.  The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.  –Proverbs 11:24-25  (NLT)

My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.  –1 John 3:18  (GNT)

 

I CHERISH YOU

The words “I Cherish You” were on a bouquet of flowers a friend brought for my birthday celebration this year along with a saying.

 

 

 

You see, I have always longed to have a surprise party given in my honor. It is not that I want to feel “important” by people’s standards but more just knowing people were coming together because they loved me and wanted to celebrate the me that God made. God made us relational beings and sometimes we get so caught up in ourselves not taking time for others. Continue reading “I CHERISH YOU”

FAMILY

The theme of family struck me recently as I was attending a dance recital of a friend of mine that I have gotten to know through work, who in addition, is a dance instructor.  We don’t work in the same building or even in the same city but communicate daily via email each day.

If I asked you to define “family” I would think your first response would probably be “those people near and dear to you that are blood related.”

To an extent that is obviously true but I believe there is an even deeper definition to the term “family.”  Especially in today’s society with familes often living far from grandparents and extended families, finding “family” is so important. Continue reading “FAMILY”

LOVE

Hearing two messages in two days on the same Bible passage is just another one of those “God things” that confirmed I am suppose to pen these thoughts this week. I must say it is also perfect timing with Valentine’s Day this week! 🙂

 

Take a few moments to read this passage from 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13: Continue reading “LOVE”

OBEDIENCE

Jesus chose to model the ultimate act of obedience to God, His Father, for YOU… And me!!

Isn’t that a powerful thought to reflect on especially as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter in the coming week? Continue reading “OBEDIENCE”

LEGACY

We all know that our time on this earth is limited but that doesn’t make it any easier when we face the death of a loved one or special friend, does it?

I shared this experience this past week attending the funeral of a special friend who suffered greatly especially the last few weeks of his life. I was truly blessed to see how his wife took care of him at home so patiently and lovingly, as well as their son who kept vigil 24/7 at his hospital bedside the last six days of his life. It was always an honor to visit them, and they certainly enriched my life by their loving example. Continue reading “LEGACY”

NOT JUDGING

This week I am sharing a few additional thoughts relating to a post I did almost two years ago entitled, “Do Not Judge“. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read those original thoughts by clicking on the title; then stop back and read the rest of my thoughts here.  (Or, it’s really okay if you read this first then click the link!) Continue reading “NOT JUDGING”

SIGNS OF HIS LOVE

It seems hard to believe it was about 25 years ago when I was standing in a cemetery, at the graves of my grandparents and great-aunt, and couldn’t help but be engulfed in the Lord’s presence— Continue reading “SIGNS OF HIS LOVE”

GOD’S CALL FOR YOU

God calls each of us to do different things for Him in this life.
We are each called to be different and do special things with our unique, spiritual gifts that He has equipped us with.

God gives us examples of many people in the Bible who were called…

….Mary was called to be the Mother of Jesus….the “tabernacle” for God’s only Son.
….John the Baptist was called to prepare the way for Jesus; to preach repentance and a baptism with water.
…Abraham was called to be the Father of all nations.
…Samuel was called as a youth to proclaim God’s word.
…Moses was called to bring God’s people out of Egypt.
…Esther was called to save God’s people, the Jewish from annihilation.
…Jeremiah was called by God when he was a youth, and even before he was born, to be a great prophet for Him.
…Isaiah was called by God as a prophet to speak to a corrupt generation.
…The twelve apostles were called by God to heal the sick and be fishers of men.
…Paul was called by God to preach to the Gentiles.
…Peter was called by God to eventually be the beginning “Church.”
…Jesus was called by God to bring salvation to all who believe in Him.

In many of these callings by God the people did not feel worthy to do what God called them to.

…Mary asked God, “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”  –Luke 1:43  (NIV)
…Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”  –Exodus 3:11 (NIV)
…John the Baptist said, “…But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry.”  –Matthew 3:11  (NIV)
…Isaiah said, “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”  –Isaiah 6:5  (NIV)
…Peter said, “…Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”  –Luke 5:8  (NIV)
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As I was reflecting on these things while writing this, and with some inspiration from a pastor I was sharing with, it occurred to me that being called by God does really involve two major things.

1-Loving the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul.

Jesus replied:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   –Matthew 22:37-39  (NIV)

2-Going and making disciples of all people.

After Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples, He instructed them, “…Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  –Matthew 28:19-20  (NIV)
I believe all the people mentioned in the examples above that were called by God, did indeed love the Lord and their calling was to help make disciples of all people.

Wow….we have been called by God to do those exact things with our lives!!  What a great commission God has called us to as well!

As we live day by day, in what ways is God calling you?
 CALL FINAL
When I was a teen, I remember being in church one day and feeling such a closeness to God knowing that He truly did have some plan for my life…that I would do something special for Him.
Sure, I do think living daily for Him and even doing the “little” things for others like sending cards to the sick, helping the poor and broken, praying for others, and words of encouragement is a call from God.
But, sometimes maybe we need to stretch ourselves and look to see if there are even bigger things we are called by God to do.  We might have to put aside our feelings of unworthiness and stop making excuses for NOT doing what God calls us to do.
In my own life, I think God is currently stretching me, despite my feelings of unworthiness, in two different ministries that I feel He is calling me to do for Him. It is a great, rewarding feeling to finally get to that point in my life.  I am so grateful for the people God has placed in my path to help get me started upon this journey.
When we are doing what God has called us to do in our lives, we will experience the peace and joy that He provides. We will know in our heart that it is what He is calling us to, and He will clear the way for us.

It reminds me of a saying I’ve seen….“God doesn’t call the qualified….He qualifies the called!”

This other saying I just saw seems to be fitting too…“Stay where you are until God calls you into something new. God calls us into things, not just out of them.”

I pray that you may find God’s call for you in your life and that you experience the many rewards that He blesses us with.
It would be a blessing to hear some of the ways God is or has called you in your life. Please comment below so others may be blessed too.
qualified final
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  –John 15:16  (NIV)

PRECIOUS ANGEL

This reflection is dedicated to all the parents who have lost a baby or child, no matter what age. These words come from Jesus’ heart. May you be comforted by Him and others who care. I think the thoughts are also fitting for anyone who has lost someone special.
Every life is so precious to me
  No matter how small the child
Even the tiniest baby within its mother be
  is a treasure and special “angel” in my plan.
I know every tear you’ve shed
  Every dream you’ve dreamed
I hear every prayer that is said
  And I know how much your heart aches.
Though many sacrifices and pain
  You have endured
Know that they were not in vain
  They are steps that were part of my plan.
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Photo credit by Scripture As Art under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
I know the burden is hard to bear
  And the pain is great
But know that I care
  And I bring you comfort.
Some day soon you will see
  Your “angel” in my heavenly kingdom
But in the mean time be
  Assured that your “angel” is safe in my arms.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  –Matthew 5:4  (NIV)