Just coming out of the Christmas season, we have watched a lot of the movie, ELF. We love all of the little “elfisms” from the movie, and quote them, often. Elf says, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.” I came up with my own little “fruitism” for LOVE. “The best way to spread love and grow, is serve all so that they may know.”
I truly believe that the best way to show love is by serving. One of my favorite things to do for my husband to show him that I love him is to serve him his meals. I hate to admit it, but we are terrible about eating at the table. We normally eat as a family, but seldom at the dinner table. But I always fix my husband’s plate and serve him his meal. When we have company over, I usually get comments about their husband expecting the same thing, but I don’t do it because Mike expects it…he never has EXPECTED it. I do it because I love him and I enjoy serving my husband…his meals are just part of it. Now that my boys are getting older, I don’t serve their meals to them, as much…this is mostly because they are so picky and I get tired of listening to them complain about what we are having…but realizing why I enjoy serving my husband has made me decide to start serving them, again. After all, I love them, too.
This Christmas, I let my boys (9 & 10) pick a name from the tree at church. They picked a 7 year old boy and together, we shopped for this little guy. On Christmas morning, after opening gifts, my three youngest kids and I helped out at the homeless shelter. We helped prepare and deliver meals to those who were in need. I want them to learn that we show love by serving others, not so much by hugs and high-fives. I want to continue, all year, serving others, and not just at Christmas. I’d love to hear how you and your family make time to serve others.
Galatians 5:13-14 NKJV says, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve on another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
I like the way that the Message Bible puts it…"It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. "
Nice beginning to your blog (you had good things to say!)
ReplyDeleteTwila:
ReplyDeleteYou are truly an example of serving others. I remember after the flood when your family had lost their home, you spent many hours at the fairgrounds serving others who had also suffered loss from the flood. I think Christ called the Church to be a verb (action), not a noun (object). I have enjoyed reading your FB posts of thanksgiving over the last year or so and think this blog is the next step in a natural progression. God bless you and yours in 2011. Keep up the good work...
I like it, Twila. I have a blog on this site, too, but I haven't messed with it for quite a while.
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