Do you ever think about your love life?
No, not that kind of love life!
Nearly every night before we snuggle into our pillows, Tim has been reading to me this great book written by Bob Goff, Everybody Always
Oh, how I’d love to say that I live and love well. But, I don’t. Lately, I’ve been grumpy and a bit critical. I could blame my thyroid and pass it off to not feeling well and being tired. But should how I feel affect my attitude or behavior?
Yesterday I attended a celebration of life for an amazing woman and dear friend.
She lived and loved well, overcoming numerous challenges. I’m certain she didn’t feel well for many years with her particular health issues. Yet, whether she was wearing her mom hat, her business woman’s hat, community influencer hat, or ministered to the hurting, she listened well, played hard, laughed freely, shared generously, fed many, and poured herself out as a love offering to others. Each person she touched, she left them believing that they were loved and highly valued.
As I sat and listened to the words of her young granddaughters and her son-in-law, I thought about how she was all about loving others well. How she managed to text, with crippled fingers those she loved, words of affirmation and encouragement. I was a recipient of her loving encouragement and prayers through some really dark days.
My friend poured herself out into the lives of her family and many others until her body was simply too tired.
This was a woman who loved well.
I don’t usually think about this… but at the end of my time here I want to have loved well, too.
To do that means I have to get over myself… my comfort… my convenience… and my concern for how this loving might or might not look to others.
It also means that I need to love my neighbor as myself.
I know how to love myself. For the most part, I feed myself when I’m hungry, I put on warm clothes to keep from the winter chill, I buy flowers to bring beauty into my home.
Can I not do these things and more for others?
The answer to that question hinges on loving God first.
When we find HIM as our source, our joy, our hope, our sustenance, our everything… from there the love he has so lavishly extended to us is the love that will naturally outflow into the lives of those we touch.
If you want to have a better “love life” receive God’s amazing love for you, and in return, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Then, you will be able to freely love your neighbor as yourself.
Let’s be ready to love our “neighbor” by keeping our ears tuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit… and acting on them.
When we’re mindful of how we live and love… we improve our lives and those around us.
Let’s live so that the natives will want to meet our King.
John Piper
It’s JoyDay!
Each week we count seven things for which we grateful here in our community. I’d be delighted if you’ll join me.
I’ll start!
God, I’m thankful for…
- how you are continually guiding, directing, and teaching me to live and love better.
- my friend’s life and her example of loving others well.
- giving me the energy to get some hard physical work accomplished.
- seeing old friends I haven’t seen since I moved away.
- my spring container and the joy it brings me.
- the time Tim and I enjoyed eating an early supper at the lake as the sun sparkled on the rough waters.
- Your love and faithfulness demonstrated in my life each day.
It’s YOUR turn! Scroll down to the comment box and tap in your ‘seven’ and watch to see how your heart is lightened and your joy meter soars. And then, come back again next week for JoyDay! It’s a great habit for your week.
Thank you for stopping by and taking time to leave your sweet thoughts.
Receive FREE inspiration like this in your inbox!
Sign up Now.
Enjoyed reading this. These past 6 months have been a time of loss for me in many different ways. From a marriage ending, my mother passed away, and an estrangement from a few close family members. Your page has really helped me, I look forward to it everyday. I am a Christian and I am learning to live a better way and learning to love again. God had his hand in this or I would not have survived. God bless you.
Becky, I am so sorry for all the heavy losses you have had to withstand in such a brief period of time. God is so good to comfort and hold us close. Praying you experience his presence in overwhelming measure and for those relationships to be miraculously restored. Thank you for your kinds words, I’m blessed to know that God is using that space to minister love and grace into your life. {hugs}
Lord, I am grateful for…
1. The gift of Midge!
2. The rest you have allowed me to have.
3. My lovely home and its serenity.
4. My lovely dog, Marcel, who loves me and keeps me company all day and all night.
5. My Sweet Children who are succeeding in the business world! Emily is to be commended for the acquisition of her new, humongous Wallmart account!! You go Em!!
6. The surgeon who operated on my brother, Proctor, and got both hernias out. He’s doing well now and I’m terribly grateful!
7. A whole night to rest and hopefully gain a bit more energy for the new day!
Praising God with you for the success of your brother’s surgery and now for his speedy recovery and your daughter’s business success too!!
Lucy, I’m praying you sleep better than you have in a long time tonight. Your dear precious Midge is free now from cancer and for that we will rejoice. Praying for God’s comfort to be close and real for you tonight. <3
Oh Happy Joy Day!
I’m so sorry about your loss. I know nothing I say will take away your pain but I have always found comfort when I know my pain is selfish, meaning I miss that person but I know they are with our Lord. The pain felt because the person you lost was not saved is almost unbearable. So I pray that your pain is “selfish” and you will meet again.
Lord this week I am thankful for,
1. She said YES! Soon we will have another daughter in-law.
2. Today my husband was blessed with a new free power chair. His old one conked out and this new one makes all the difference in his world.
3. Friday went just fine.
4. An unexpected $100. Wow! In our financial situation that is huge.
5. This week I will be planting all the morning glory seeds that I collected last fall. I love how life is continuous.
6. The birds are starting to nest…everywhere in my yard.
7. Love. You love us and you gave us the ability to love others. We love family and friends and pets but we also have love for things, like activity, places, memories, music, food. Too many to list. Thank you
Hope your week is beautiful
Blessings to you!
Minnie
Praise God!! Oh Minnie, God is holding you in the palm of his hand and blessing you in so many ways… even with the feathered nest builders taking up residence in your safe yard. I LOVE your heart of gladness and gratitude.
P.S. My friend is with Jesus and dancing for sure!!