Sharing goodness...

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you
-John 15:12

Today's Upper Room devotion, led me to share these thoughts...

I was thinking of how much my Dad enjoys gardening. He shares his bounty with everyone. We've enjoyed lettuce, tomatoes a plenty, beans and corn, the absolute best potatoes...It's not just earthly harvest he has shared. He and Mom plant seeds of kindness where ever they go. They shared their love and wisdom with my sisters and I while we were growing up. So, is it not my job to do the things I'm taught...

Each year, as summer closes, they plan a trip...a long trip, going out West, or where ever the road may lead them. Last night I as walked up the steps to the back door to say goodbye, I stood looking at the cover on the pool. Summer has gone, we've enjoyed so many days on the deck, and now it is time for their trip. They have worked for this trip, and every one before. I will miss them greatly. I speak with them daily, and will still be able to do so, it's just an emptiness knowing they are more than mere miles from me. This trip, they are traveling up into Canada. As I map it, I can't imagine my Mom and Dad being so far from me. I am comforted knowing I will still be able to call on them. Is it not the same with our Father in Heaven...when he seems so far from us, it is then, he is calling, beckoning us to call his name. He is but a whisper away.

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me"
Sow kindness, help, feed, care for others as He has cared for you...

Working with my Aunt Helen in her flower shop during my teenage years, I learned many Christian lessons. One of the most powerful was in her succinct sermon, "Give your flowers to the living."

She went on to explain, "I have spent much of my life arranging beautiful flowers to help people show their love after someone has died. Imagine how much those flowers would have meant to the person while he or she was alive."

As I've grown older, I appreciate the Christlike message of my aunt's words. Yes, in love, Jesus gave his life for our eternal future after we die; but Jesus also demonstrated God's love continually to the living while on earth. He walked and talked with those around him; he healed, cried, and rejoiced. Jesus gave the gift of love to all those he met as he walked the earth, as well as to all humankind through his death and resurrection.
(Jill Marie Clawson)

I am preparing to share my harvest with you...soon I will be posting a give away, as a thank you for your kindness, a "pay it forward"...keep in touch!

Pray for a good harvest...but keep on plowing

Dear God, help me to remember you are but a whisper away...help me to love others each day as you love me, show me your grace and mercy so that I may sow seeds...good seeds... Amen.