Want of Love will block the way. You must love all. Those that fret you and those who do not.
Practice Love. It is a great lesson, and you have a great Teacher. You must love, how otherwise can you dwell in Me, when nothing unloving can come? Practice this and I will bless you exceedingly, above all you cannot only ask, but imagine. "God Calling"
A few of these (Yes just a few!) might have saved my marriage and I'm trying desperately to show my kids what love is because many of our family members have set such a poor example! For some people whose relationships are good, you know this stuff, good for you, keep it up! Some people just seem dense, who knows? Perhaps they'll read this and wake up! Just a small dose of love will lower your blood pressure and improve and probably lengthen your life! Just TRY THESE.
1. Smile. Just be courteous and polite!
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely....I Corinthians 13:4-5a
2. Look them in the eye and listen! Show some respect!
Love...does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil....I Corinthians 13:5b
3. Call, write or go see people! The Bible says, Jesus went about doing good (Matthew 9:35). He called on people!
Love calls for putting forth some effort. Since my mom's gone, the other 3 remaining grandparents although in great health don't visit their grandchildren and I feel this is very sad. They are now no longer involved in their grandchildren's lives, except on the occasion that one of us parents takes them to see them and these visits are getting few and far between, not to mention awkward. We hardly know these people anymore.
4. Encourage the one you love in their personal interests and gifts.
If your child plays soccer, you go to their games right? Well duh!? If they graduate from anything, go to their ceremony! If they get an award, go see them receive it. If they get married and invite you- GO! If they don't invite you, might want to find out why.
5. Remember their birthday, anniversary and any important date to them. It would be nice to get a hug on April 14th it was a hard day in 2009, my mom died. I was very sad on June 7th 2016 as it was Bob and I's 30th wedding Anniversary and we're divorcing. I was with my kids, yet they showed me no compassion, not a hug or anything. This is one reason why the marriage is over, noone saw it as important, recognized it, acknowledged it. We never even went away somewhere for longer than a night or two even out of the state of Georgia! We were supposed to go on a cruise for our 25th Wedding Anniversary in 2011 but we never did.
6. Compliment them, tell them what they've done right! I've heard nothing as of late, nothing, how this hole split up can be blamed on me is so insane. WHAT did I do? Cook too well? Spent all the money on that big house I had to build right? NOPE I cheated? Nope, had plenty of opportunities to but I didn't. I'm on drugs? Nope Oh I'm crazy, that's right. I'm BiPolar that has to be a crime right? I got angry! OMG! That's it. Totally unacceptable to get angry when you're disrespected and treated like shit! NOT. I'm not saying I was perfect but I feel as though all I did right is forgotten and not appreciated anymore.
7. Forgive: I was willing to forgive him for treating me badly all these years. He used to get mad at me for the stupidest little stuff like buying the kids soda or taking them to McDonalds- it was crazy! But you can't forgive someone and continue the relationship without them admitting they were wrong and wanting to stop the wrong things they said and did. If you let them continue (And I did this for many years) it's called enabling and they get worse and you get bitter. The way to get better, I've finally realized is to FORGIVE yes but also to LET GO and MOVE ON. Many people lose jobs and are unemployed it is NOT an acceptable reason to leave someone. And yes he was the one who LEFT but then he wanted his big fricken house and his kids back, so he came back and then I left.
Oh and if someone gives you some food? Even if it wasn't good (But I know it was!) you would say, THANK-YOU ASAP right? Tell them it was good, that was so thoughtful of you.....ETC Not say NOTHING. Recently this happened to me three times! It's not just my ex and my kids, people are just SO RUDE and I don't have time, so no more homemade goodies for ya all- sorry! My Mom, their grandma would roll over in her grave at ya all's BAD MANNERS! Shame on you!
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
I Corinthians 13:13
That four letter Word
It's never in vain
It all matters
No matter how small an act
A kind word
A smile
A hug
A cup of cold water
I have it in a photograph
A letter
A scrap of paper
A meal
A memory
A bowl of chili
Chicken salad
Peach Ice cream and red velvet cupcakes
Chocolate and roses
It speaks your language
It’s a gift
A movie
A light saber
A New Hope
It's a verb
It's a noun
It's an adjective
It's profound
It's encouragement
And Motivation
It's harder than you thought
Yet it makes everything easier
Like ET it phones home
It's more wonderful than you knew
And worth everything you put in
It hangs on
It never quits
Even if you let go of it
It can hurt sometimes
It can't stay mad
It works and tries
It bleeds and cries
And doesn't lie
It apologizes
Gives and forgives
It's the only thing we take with us when we die
Yet it makes us feel alive
It always hopes, believes, trusts
It never fails
And even if you're away a while
It waits for you to come Home
From my upcoming book , RED: Redeemed- Equipped-Delivered
Other posts in this series:
SEVEN STEPS TO A STUPENDOUS LIFE STORY
SEVEN WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE FOR ETERNITY
Seven Ways To Keep A Good Attitude When Your Going Through Hell
SEVEN STEPS TO A STUPENDOUS LIFE STORY
SEVEN WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE FOR ETERNITY
Seven Ways To Keep A Good Attitude When Your Going Through Hell
