The past two weeks we've celebrated Easter and new beginnings. After the Easter Service, our pastor challenged the congregation to continue celebrating by sharing God's love with those we come into contact during our week. Not just for this Easter season, but for all our days ahead.
This "challenge" got me thinking about how I show His love to people on a daily basis? It made me realize that maybe I don't always have the best approach...this is not intentional. Life happens and occasionally, I let my emotions get the best of me. Then, I find myself irritated or annoyed and not acting out of love.
There are days when life is just plain hard. I think, in fact I know my pastor would tell me even on those hard days; we must love.
Circumstances are going to happen and curve balls are going to come at warp speed. I'd like to learn how to knock these balls out of the park. How about you?
This "challenge" got me thinking about how I show His love to people on a daily basis? It made me realize that maybe I don't always have the best approach...this is not intentional. Life happens and occasionally, I let my emotions get the best of me. Then, I find myself irritated or annoyed and not acting out of love.
There are days when life is just plain hard. I think, in fact I know my pastor would tell me even on those hard days; we must love.
Circumstances are going to happen and curve balls are going to come at warp speed. I'd like to learn how to knock these balls out of the park. How about you?
When I think about this concept of showing God's love ; I think of having compassion, empathy, and unconditional love. This is how I would like to treat folks in my daily walk.
How can I go about my day (because if we are honest here...sometimes I am just down right frazzled) and show this type of love to complete strangers or to those closest to me? We all know, we tend to "let it all out" on those we love dearest.
The answer is simple...smile and be kind. It really only comes down to those two acts. Smile and Be Kind to ALL those we meet.
How can I go about my day (because if we are honest here...sometimes I am just down right frazzled) and show this type of love to complete strangers or to those closest to me? We all know, we tend to "let it all out" on those we love dearest.
The answer is simple...smile and be kind. It really only comes down to those two acts. Smile and Be Kind to ALL those we meet.
There will be times we are feeling rushed and a bit annoyed that the cashier is taking soooooo long at the grocery store. Smile and Be Kind. You may be the only person who took time out of their day to smile at him or her.
Maybe you hear the same story told time and again from a loved one? Smile. It will make the person feel heard and that their story is important.
Maybe you hear the same story told time and again from a loved one? Smile. It will make the person feel heard and that their story is important.
The other day one of my daughters was misbehaving and I had to sit her down to discuss why she was given a consequence. I was upset with her behavior and quite frankly annoyed at the excuses that were pouring out. I could feel myself getting angry and my tone of voice getting louder.
Then I made myself relax, I took a breath and paused. I thought in my head about how I want this to come out. I didn't want to yell. If I started yelling back at her; I would be hypocritical (this took a lot of patience and I had to remind myself to breathe).
We sat together calmly and she listened. When we were through, I smiled at her, gave her a hug and told her I love her. Afterwards, she went to do her time out (without talking back!!!) and we went about our day. Smile and Be Kind. It works.
The other day one of my daughters was misbehaving and I had to sit her down to discuss why she was given a consequence. I was upset with her behavior and quite frankly annoyed at the excuses that were pouring out. I could feel myself getting angry and my tone of voice getting louder.
Then I made myself relax, I took a breath and paused. I thought in my head about how I want this to come out. I didn't want to yell. If I started yelling back at her; I would be hypocritical (this took a lot of patience and I had to remind myself to breathe).
We sat together calmly and she listened. When we were through, I smiled at her, gave her a hug and told her I love her. Afterwards, she went to do her time out (without talking back!!!) and we went about our day. Smile and Be Kind. It works.
There are so many amazing and beautiful happenings that surround us. Let's not waste time being angry or feeling irritated because of the small things. Look at the bigger picture. Teach yourself to go and show love by smiling and being kind. It takes practice, but I am teaching myself to see the sunshine in circumstances even on a cloudy day!
"It's all about finding the calm in the chaos." ~ Donna Karan
"It's all about finding the calm in the chaos." ~ Donna Karan