...Life of Love
I remember waking up, Christmas mornings, to the aroma of sweet potato and pecan pies. Man, my dad use to hook it up! They were browned to perfection with a buttery crispy crust and just the right amount of filling, not to sweet and the perfect consistency, not to gooey. I use to have several pieces before and after dinner. It got to the point where my dad would make, just for me, one of each for the Christmas season! I couldn't wait for those mornings...a slice of warm pie and a half gallon of 2% milk! And you better believe when the community pies were eaten up…if I had any left…my pies were off limits! I think I almost beat up my little sister once for trying to take a slice. Don’t Judge lol…we have a great relationship now…I love her dearly.
However; this is just one of the many memories…and this was just one of the many ways that joy was delivered to me by my parents.
Both my parents have passed away…but this season still brings joy to my heart because of those memories and blessings that they provided for me. Now that I am a father, I try my best to be that joy and a cheerful giver to my children and loved ones. It fills me with joy, love and praise to see the ones I love so dearly to experience blessings while creating lifetime memories. It brings me joy knowing that my heavenly Father loves me dearly.
I want to encourage all of you to be the LIGHT and the presence of joy in every situation and circumstance…especially during the holidays were most people are stressing do to the pressures of trying to have everything perfect; it’s not about perfection. What I mean by this is don't feel the pressures of the economics of Christmas with over spending; rather, experience and be the LOVE of Christmas! ...and I'm not saying don't bless people with gifts...bless them cheerfully and responsibly. At the end of the day, it’s about showing your true love for others through whatever gesture and or gifts. There's something inside you that desires to make people happy and smile with excitement. Yes, in those earlier years it may have been all about me…particularly those warm freshly baked homemade pies. Today, only through Christ, have I embraced the true spirit of giving. Don't get me wrong, I still love my homemade pies...but these days I have more of a tendency to share. It's not only just the idea of sharing or giving presents or anything of monetary value, but now it's about bringing the presence of who God created me to be. Walking in and knowing that I am a Child of God. This is the season to walk in LOVE. To give like Christ gave….a sacrifice of his needs, an exchange for a life of love for us.
Ephesians 5 (ESV)
Walk in Love
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
So this season go beyond your church body, beyond the walls of your own home, this is a season, as it should be all the time, walk in his love, imitate and share that with others. Be the voice of joy, peace and love. Because you bring the ‘Tis the Season’ with your giving and joyful spirit. So yes “it is more blessed to give than to receive”…and you can give a lot of things that won’t cost you anything but time and a choice…a choice with an outcome that will bless someone more than you or I could ever imagine. Let God's blessings manifest through your gestures of true love of others!
#BeACheerfulGiver #LifeofLove #WalkinLove #ThankYouJesus!
g,gray
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