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The love that we have towards our family needs to be clearly shown and not
merely insinuated. Many times we fall into a routine where we do not make
the extra effort to let those who are near and dear to us know exactly how
we feel towards them. The Bible declares in Romans 12:10 “Be kindly
affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one
another.” We cannot continue to go through life thinking that our loved
ones know how we feel, but rather we are to tell them with our words and
with our actions. (1 John 3:18) (Mark 7:10) (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
I hope you are challenged and inspired by today's message to be one who
makes the extra effort to show your love to those nearest to you. You will
be making an impact that will not be fully known for years to come.
DON’T HOPE, DECIDE
While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I
had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk
about--the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a
mere two feet away from me.
Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the
jet way, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He
stopped right next to me to greet his family.
First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid
down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated
enough to look in each other's face, I heard the father say, “It's so good
to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly,
averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”
Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or
ten) and while cupping his son's face in his hands said, “You're already
quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!” They too hugged a most
loving, tender hug.
While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was
squirming excitedly in her mother's arms, never once taking her little
eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, “Hi,
baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed
her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her
from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her
head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.
After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and
declared, “I've saved the best for last!” and proceeded to give his wife
the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into
her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. “I love you so
much!” They stared at each other's eyes, beaming big smiles at one another,
while holding both hands.
For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of
their kids that they couldn't possibly be. I puzzled about it for a moment
then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of
unconditional love not more than an arm's length away from me.
I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but
was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two
been married?” “Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of
those” he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's face.
“Well then, how long have you been away?” I asked the man finally turned
and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile. “Two whole days!” Two
days? I was stunned.
By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he'd been gone for at least
several weeks - if not months. I know my expression betrayed me, I said
almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace
(and to get back to searching for my friend), “I hope my marriage is still
that passionate after twelve years!” The man suddenly stopped smiling.
He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right
into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He
told me, “Don't hope, friend...decide!” Then he flashed me his wonderful
smile again, shook my hand and said, “God bless!”
With that, he and his family turned and strode away together. I was still
watching that exceptional man and his special family walk just out of sight
when my friend came up to me and asked, “What'cha looking at?” Without
hesitating, and with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, “My future!”
By Charles Moraes
We are to wisely invest in the unending affections of our loved ones and
realize that they are the most important people in our lives. Be encouraged
to tell your spouse that you love them and say it with all the sincerity in
your heart. Do the same with your children and parents and make an extra
point to let your feelings be made known no matter what your day was like
or how dreary you may feel. (Colossians 3:19-22) (Romans 12:15-21)
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Colossians 3:19-22 “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against
them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing
unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the
flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart,
fearing God.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth
not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things,
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity
never faileth...”
Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen
in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: WORDS FOR YOUR FAMILY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem106.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: GOD SAVED MY DAD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony144.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
