Loving Others...
In our day to day lives, we will meet many people along our journey. Friends, co-workers, neighbors, and even strangers may be struggling. You can lighten their burden by your kind word or act of love. Check out the resources below to help you be Jesus to the world around you.
Loving Friends...
The Golden Rule
Pastor Adrian Rogers stated, "the best way to get a friend is to be a friend." How would you like to be treated? That is a great way to start to be a friend. Check out this great sermon on being a good friend. https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-finding/read/articles/how-to-be-a-good-friend-8984.html
Reach Out!
Want to be a good friend? How about checking in with them. Call, text, send an email, or mail a letter. I keep a stack of cards friends have sent to me over the years. When I am down, I open one up, and it helps me get out of my rut. Remember your friend's special days and send out a birthday card or e-card. Lots of free sites like 123greetings.com let you send out free cards. Even if you call them and get their voicemail, leave a message. They will love to hear your voice and know that you were thinking of them.
Tips to Love Your Friend
1. Listen to their rants.
2. Tell them how much you care.
3. Appreciate and compliment them.
4. Be there when they need you.
5. Always communicate with them.
6. Make time with them.
7. Show them social media love.
8. Celebrate their accomplishments.
9. Surprise them!
10. Go on new adventures.
11. Encourage them during the bad times.
12.Understand their struggle.
13. Ask them if they need help from you.
14. Be a loyal and caring friend for them every day.
​https://inspiringtips.com/ways-to-show-your-friends-that-you-care/
Forgiveness
Colossians 3:12-14 states, "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Friends will fail you at times. We all make mistakes. If your friend has a good heart but did something wrong, have patience with them. Forgive them. Just like you would want others to give you grace, pass that along to them. Don't kick them when they mess up. Be compassionate, kind, humble, and gentle. Friendship can be a safe place for both of you.
Loving Our Co-workers...
You may spend more time with co-workers than anyone else. You can have a deep impact in their lives.
Find the fun. Take a silly survey, potlucks, celebrate holidays, send funny emails, walk together during meetings or lunch. Have themed days like everyone wears clown noses, show and tell, or a competition etc.
Get to Know Your Co-workers. Pray for their needs. Be a listening ear. Be kind. Smile. Celebrate their accomplishments. Help them during seasons of change. Don't gossip.
Conflict will come. When it does, be a giver of encouragement, solutions, and hope. Pray for wisdom. Pray for those in authority. Find a silver lining.
Loving Our Neighbors...
In a world where many do not know or even want to know their neighbors, we can make a huge difference. God may have placed people in your life that maybe would normally not be in your sphere of influence. Take time to be kind and perhaps you can make a new friend.
Pinterest is full of ideas on gifts for your neighbors. Many are not expensive and most are themed for various holidays. After being in a very unkind neighborhood, it was so refreshing to get treats when my family and I arrived to a new neighborhood. Others brought gifts when we had our 2nd and 3rd children. We even got "booed" one Halloween. Not sure what that is? Check out pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/304415256046668636/
Backyard cookouts
Holiday or birthday parties
Baby or bridal showers
Sharing a family meal
Dessert or coffee
Bible studies
Book clubs or other hobby groups
Potlucks
Games or movie nights
TV sporting events: football parties, etc.
Offering a place to stay for overnight guests
Play dates
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/practice-hospitality-busy-exhausted
Loving the Stranger...
The classic story of the Good Samaritan comes to mind when I think of sharing love to strangers. Check out the story in the Bible: Luke 10: 25-37.  The Samaritan who was an enemy of the Jews, helped a Jewish man who was beaten, robbed, and left for dead. He completed the golden rule, the 2nd most important commandment to love others as himself. He did not know this man, but knew how he would want to be treated, and did everything in his power to care for this man. He didn't count the cost or wait for someone else to help. He may have been busy, but he stopped and did the right thing.
The Homeless
Through the grace of God, I have never been homeless, yet. Anytime I see someone on the street, my heart breaks. I always pray for them, and wish I could invite them to my home. Besides praying, how can we make a real difference in their lives? Blessing bags are a great start. Get a water resistant bag or purse and fill it up. Hand warmers, bag of quarters, bottled water, bandaides, wipes, sanitizer, wash cloth, socks, toothpaste & brush, soap, deodorant, comb, chapstick, shampoo, gloves, & non-perishable food items. Keep these on hand and pass them out any time you need to. https://www.thriftynorthwestmom.com/blessing-bags-assemble-bags-keep-hand-need/
The Stranger Next to You
Do you take the subway, go to the bank, or check out at the grocery store? Perhaps you stand with other parents who waiting for the school bus, or are a delivery driver. Your life touches many other lives. Find a way to be the light of Jesus.
The Elderly
The golden years, many times, are not golden. Instead of years of rest, joy, and contentment, they are replaced with health problems, anxiety, and loneliness. You can make a difference. Go visit them, take a small gift, make a meal, have your kids spend time with them, sing carols at a nursing home. Let this time end in victory and honor.
The Sick
When we get to heaven, there will be no more sickness or death. Until then, we can bring joy to the those dealing with sickness her and now. There are so many ways to volunteer. Visit those in the hospital, cook meals for the family, babysit the kids, give rides, join an organization, start a gofund me account, sell lemonade and donate the money to charity. Send birthday cards or gifts to the hospitals.
The Incarcerated
We all make poor choices in life. Sometimes those choices end in prison. How do we share love to those in jail? Before you ask why, remember, it is only by the grace of God, we haven't been given up to our sin. Many churches have prison ministries. Prison Fellowship is a wonderful organization where you can find a way to volunteer. Be a mentor, send cards, start an angel tree ministry, pray for them and their families. prisonfellowship.org
The Solider
Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." Thousands have died protecting and serving this country. We can share our gratitude by thanking them anytime we see them. We can talk to our kids about their sacrifice. Military.com has some wonderful ideas on how and what to send to our troops as care packages. https://www.military.com/discounts/7-affordable-ideas-for-military-care-packages.html. Pray for them. Reach out to their families and ask how you can help.
