Highlighting God's Presence to Inspire Your Life!
I have been reflecting a lot lately about “living love.” This came about from recently reading two books by author, motivational speaker, and lawyer, Bob Goff. The books I am referring to are Everybody Always and Love Does which I encourage you to read. The books consist of short chapters that are engaging stories from Bob’s experiences of loving others.
Continue reading “LIVING LOVE”
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.”
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!
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~~
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
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
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)
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
