|
The love that we share with those closest to us are gifts that should be thought upon, appreciated and relished because the truest riches of life are found in our relationships. So many times we find ourselves busy with our daily routines and instead of slowing down so that we can appreciate the beauty of today, we put it aside so that we can complete the checklist for that day. One thing I have found to be true is that there will always be something that has to be done. We will always have obligations, deadlines and things that require our full attention and that is fine, but we should also take time for ourselves so that we can reinvigorate and revitalize our most important assets which consist of our well-being and the well-being of those who bring real meaning to our life. Without our loved ones what meaning would our life have? Would we still want to rush from one place to another, from one appointment to another if we knew that our loved ones were not there anymore? I believe the answer is no because life is much more enjoyable when it is shared with those who mean the world to us. That is why we should always slow down, smell the roses and appreciate the beauty of today. (1 John 4:7-13) (Galatians 6:2-10)
When we make an extra effort to make our love known towards those who mean so much to us, we are creating a foundation that will be strong, secure and everlasting. The time that we invest blessing, honoring, encouraging, inspiring and affirming will create a legacy of love that will live on in our hearts and in the hearts of those whom we shared our life with. The Bible declares in Philippians 2:3 “Don't be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Be encouraged to see that life is much more enjoyable when it is shared. Take an interest in what your spouse is doing, in what your children are doing, in what your brothers and sisters are doing so that you can build a foundation of love and closeness that will live on in both of your lives. (Luke 6:31) (1 John 3:14-18)
I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to go the extra mile to create memories of love that will live on far longer than you can think or imagine.
SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
It couldn't be more perfect. The morning air was filled with the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls. They are legendary in this home.
Oh, not the ones that come in a can. The ones that grandmother creates. They take much longer, but they wouldn't want it any other way.
When they visit her, they sleep in a little later. Not so much because they are tired from the trip. They only live a few hours away.
They really don't need to sleep over, either, but they do for all the right reasons.
It's home. You don't just visit home. You return to it. You re-live it. You soak in the smells of early morning yeast dough and cinnamon. You roll over in the thought of sweet cream icing dripping off your chin.
You stay in bed just a little longer so you can hear the sounds of home once more.
The clanking of the pans, the sound of the rolling pin, the thump of the oven door as it closes and the signal that makes you jump to your feet... the baking sheet sliding off the rack...you're home.
Mom and dad rush to get the children up. Running down the hallway they pause for a moment to inhale the smell of fresh coffee. Not just any coffee. This coffee is created in the same old percolator that grandmother has used since grandfather and she were married.
“It still works better than those new things they sell,” she would be quick to tell you.
Everyone now gathered around the kitchen table, they settle into a quiet almost trance-like existence. Everyone's eyes are now fixed on grandmother. Eight eyes follow each cinnamon roll as they are placed on the plate in front of them. You don't dive into it. You savor the moment as you watch the icing slowly melt down the sides.
By now your mind has already consumed it, but your belly cries out with a rumble... “I can't wait any longer!”
“This is heavenly,” mother says.
“You are an angel,” father adds.
Then, from the smallest child comes the biggest question.
“Grandmother, when you go to heaven can we still visit?” the child asks.
Grandmother takes her place at the head of the table, picks up her fork and says, “I will visit you.”
“How?” the child asks.
Grandmother takes her first bite of the cinnamon roll, places the fork back down and leans toward the child.
Smiling, she places her finger on the child's heart and says, “I'll be right here. Somewhere in between.”
Who says you can't go home?
By Bob Perks
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Romans 12:10-16 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another...”
Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Colossians 3:23-25 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”
Romans 15:1-4 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on Me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem84.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: HE WANTED ME
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony88.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
