Love…

1 John 4:19 NIV “We love because he loved us first.”

1 John 4:19 NLT “We love each other because he loved us first.”

1 John 4:8 NIV “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is Love.”

1 John 4:8 NLT “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is Love.”

The word Love appears in the Old King James Version 310 times, New American Standard Version 348 times, the New International Version 551 times and the New Living Translation 898 times.

Love; an intense feeling of deep affection; a great interest in something. (Oxford Languages)

Jesus was the only perfect example of love that walked this earth. He looked inward at the heart not the beauty on the outside. He wasn’t impressed with wealth, prestige or notoriety. He loved with a servants heart. He was humble. He cared. He healed. He fed. He listened. He wept.

We as humans are not capable of giving perfect love but we are able to: serve those in need, give ourselves an honest reality check from time to time, care about the people in our lives and community, pray for those who are in need of healing and help, we can always look in the pantry and load a bag or two for a food shelter, we can offer an ear to someone who needs to talk and we can weep for the devastation right before our eyes. The lost, sick, needy and hungry are as much a part of our walk as they were in Jesus’.

This season is indicative of Love and a great time for those of us who are blessed to show some love to those less fortunate.

The food pantries need food, the local grocery stores are selling tickets to provide a holiday meal for a family in need. There are Christmas trees in all the department stores with names of children whose parents need help giving their child a gift.

If you are crafty, contact your local hospital and create yarn hair for a little girl who has lost hers due to cancer treatments. Sew a hem around a large square fuzzy piece of material and make warm comforting throws for the little ones stuck in sterile hospital beds.

The elderly are lonely, do you have a dog who loves to give and receive love? Do you have a lovely speaking voice you could sit and read to a soul that is lonely and forgotten.

Do you love to bake but don’t want all the calories, take a plate of goodies to your neighbors, that little old man who lives down the street. The tired moms who could use an extra hand for an afternoon or an hour or two of alone time and silence.

I realize Covid has changed many things and we may need to call some establishments to find out their guidelines but I believe that this month is the perfect time to share some love. Shall we?

I love all of you who share a minute or two with me in Sunshine. You mean the world to me. Be blessed today and thank you for joining me. 🥰