Sharing His Love
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For the past ten years, at the beginning of each year, I have chosen a word on which to focus for the new year. In my journal I write out my commitment to concentrate on this word. I write a list of songs that use the word and find Bible texts that reflect it.
One year, while looking for a new word, I read Galatians 5:22, 23 and was surprised I had never chosen the first fruit of the Spirit: love! As February approached I started to think about how I could share God’s love with others on Valentine’s Day.
I decided to make cookies. My husband, Ron, loves oatmeal-raisin cookies, so I determined to bake these for him and share them with others.
The day before Valentine’s Day, I mixed up the dough and began to bake the cookies. I made them large, and for fun I shaped them into hearts.
They turned out quite nicely. The next day, I met with a group of ladies, and we celebrated our love for each other with Valentine’s Day cards and special treats. We had a wonderful time together. The ladies loved my heart-shaped cookies.
A couple of ladies from our group were not at the meeting. I had cookies left over and felt impressed to share them with the missing members. I drove to one lady’s house, and she was delighted with the special treat and card.
Next I drove to Debbie’s house. Debbie was alone on this day. He husband had recently died, and she missed him terribly. She was so happy to receive a Valentine’s Day gift from our group and the card, which we had all signed for her.
It meant a lot to her to be remembered. As we sat together, I listened to her tell wonderful stories about her husband and their special times together.
I told her how much we all loved her and that we were praying for her. Then I asked if we could pray together. She bowed her head, and we held hands as we prayed. We hugged each other, and I went on my way, rejoicing. It was a wonderful way to give love to her. I am so thankful that God gives us opportunities to share our love and God’s love with others each day. Let us look for every chance to do so. Opportunities are all around us. “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other” (1 John 4:11, NLT).
Sharon Follett
