Love-Gifts

Have you ever thought about the many gifts that love brings?

Of course, GOD's love brings gifts beyond measure but I'm speaking of HUMAN love. When we let love reign in our actions, words, thoughts and attitudes, many wonderful and beautiful things happen...




...like patience, humbleness and forgiveness. Like kindness, gentleness and mercy. Some of these, in and of themselves, are often difficult things to practice. But graced with the oil of love they become easy and even pleasureable. Why do we shy away from them?

There are no limits nor barriers to the many-faceted graces of love. Love is given AND received by the unloved and unlovely, makes both parties more beautiful in each other's eyes and is NEVER a wasted act. Do I need to repeat that?

What is love, anyway?? Simply put, it is "a concern for the well-being of others". My husband gave
me that definition many years ago when we were dating and I must say that it about wraps it up in one neat and beautiful package, don't you?

So go out there and practice the divine act of love to your fellow human being. No one deserves it but everyone needs it. It isn't as difficult as you think and the rewards are priceless.

        This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

Sweet Baby Boy

Little baby boy, so new and sweet and cuddly, love from your family surrounds you like a fence...protecting, caring, desiring God's best for you. "Whom having not seen, you love...". I know that verse is referring to Christ but, for the occasion, I'm pulling it out of context and letting it express how I feel about you and me. We haven't seen each other and you know nothing about me, but even though I haven't seen you, I do love you...for you are my grandson.

I have a promise from God just for you, I want you to take it with you wherever you go:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

(Jeremiah 29:11)

Happy one-week birthday! God bless you, precious little grandson.
(baby photo: M. Thorp)

Hugs

I was sitting in church last night, waiting for the service to begin, when all of a sudden I felt some arms around my neck. The warmth felt good on that cold evening but I didn't know who it was. "Who is this?" I asked, more than one suspect immediately coming to mind. She didn't answer but stretched her neck around to try and show her face. I wasn't surprised to see that it was little Raquel, a very affectionate little girl who, along with her family, is always at church. All of a sudden I felt a double warmth, not only from the physical hug but also from the emotion of knowing that someone likes me. I believe one of the purposes for which God made our arms was to give good, warm hugs to those we love. "Worth a thousand words" is true for hugs as well as pictures! Several years ago someone gave me this poem about hugs...

Hugs come in every shape and size and mean so many things,
Like the hug that says "I'm happy for the joy your friendship brings."
There are hugs for saying "I'm so proud of all the things you do,"
Hugs that say "There's no one else in all the world like you."
There are gentle hugs, and tender ones for feelings that are sad,
Hugs that say "I'm sorry" when someone's feeling bad.
There are hugs for all occasions, and reasons big and small,
Tiny hugs, and bear hugs-short to extra tall!
But the nicest hug is one that says "I'm always thinking of you,"
The special kind this brings your way-
The hug that says "I LOVE YOU!"

Love Measures Grief

This title and photo really need no explanation. Someone else has aptly described it as "Love much, grieve much. Love little, grieve little." One's amount and intensity of grief is measured by one's amount and intensity of love. And vice versa. Those who have experienced this know what I am talking about. As the perfect rose with raindrops, love with grief and tears is also beautiful. Love and pain, sunshine and rain, loss and gain...they are all inseparable twins of life. Each one is measured by the other, each one is nourished by the other, each one is necessary in our human lives. Without them we would not grow, without them we would not know...the pure joys of life that God, in His perfect plan for us, gives on a daily basis. Thank the Lord, there is life after grief, no matter the amount or intensity. There is love after grief for true love never leaves us. Love can be resurrected for love has life. Love IS life! God is love and God is life. God, life, love...they all go hand in hand. For this I am very grateful.

My Children

My pride and joy are my children! Although they aren't perfect, since no one on earth is perfect, they are certainly God's perfect gifts to me! I already mentioned how each rose is different but each is beautiful in its own way. Each one is unique! It goes without saying, that each of our children are different, each one has their own beauty. Some are serious & determined, others are happy-go-lucky and go-with-the-flow. Some make you cry, others make you laugh. But they all make this mother's heart beat with profound love and joy. I love you, my 5 precious children! My heart will forever beat with intense love and joy for each of you!

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is His reward." (Psalm 127:3)

Love

Before I go further, let me interject this thought: Love is certainly in the "top 5" of perfect gifts from God. For "God is love" as He says in His Word. The more I search the internet for this & that, the more I realize that love is sorely lacking in our world today. There are those who have twisted the meaning of this and are saying that murder is love. Can you believe that? I guess I've been a sheltered person all my life and haven't been exposed (thankfully!) to many people like this. God, the embodiment of love itself, will put these people in their place. Someday. Hopefully soon! How beautiful is the pink rose of love! How intricate its petals, how delicate its color, how fragrant its perfume, how beautiful its form! Even in the darkness of this sinful world around us, it shines, giving its unique and breath-taking beauty. Only God can create beauty, only He can show us true love...so that we, in turn, can show it to others. And, I guarantee, that does NOT include murder.

An Outstanding Rose

That would be my hubby. He is a God-given gift to me whose color shines in the light-or in the dark. For 35 years I have had this rose by my side and we have experienced SO much together. As I told him the other day, "life with you has been fun"! I haven't always cultivated this rose as it deserves to be and I've often taken it for granted but it is certainly among my prized ones...of award-winning quality. Thank you, my dear husband, for all that you mean to me! I admire you immensely and love you so much.