"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you
have love for one another."
John 13:35
This God-given love is not our
own; it's His life shining through us. So before we start the day, let's pray that
God will fill us with His love and lead us in ways that will
honor Him and bless His people. Remember, it's His perfect love, nor our finite love, that
opens hearts and changes lives.
Here are just a few of the
opportunities He gives me during the week (and they always
make me happy):
-
Greet
familiar grocery store checkers and post office staff by name.
Seek opportunities to
make simple statements such as "I thank God for the rain
today."
-
If
you are waiting at the end of a check-out line and you
see a mom with little children (or an elderly person who
might need help), invite them to move ahead of you in
line. It's amazing how much some people appreciate that
tiny favor! It often leads to conversations that allow
us to mention our Lord and His care for us.
-
Open doors for anyone
who might need help.
-
Offer to pray for anyone
-- stranger, waitress, friends, etc. -- who seem to be
tired, weary, injured or in some kind of need.
-
Let
the joy and thankfulness in your heart be visible to
all. God will use these opportunities in His own wonderful
ways.
Remember,
"... the love of God has been
poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:5
"Love suffers long
and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is
not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is
not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but
rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians
13:4-8
If you
have a suggestion that would encourage our readers, please share
it
with us.