Starting Over

Some awesome clouds from this summer

Something happened this past year, I stopped sewing my liluga plushies and put "giving love away" on the back burner. It's as if some dark rain clouds appeared in my life and decided to stay a while.

I haven't been posting too much either.
Life just got busy plus I just don't have a whole lot of energy right now.

I know that being busy isn't an excuse to not show love to others. Nor is being tired. I may not have the time to sew a new batch of liluga's but I do have the time give love away in a different way.

So, away with the stormy clouds and in with some bright skies.

the same view of the sky, but clear blue with birds flying

I have been reading a couple of books recently that have reminded me that there are many ways to show love. One of them is called "Small Mercies" by Nancy Jo Sullivan. She talks about the little things we can do for others that make a big difference. Little things like meeting someone for a cup of coffee. There are so many things we can do, a phone call, a visit, a card with a personal note are just a few.

Another book I am reading is called "7" by Jen Hatmaker. The book is about fasting from excess in different areas of our life, such as food, clothing, money and media. In her book, she talks about how God calls us to love others by giving out of our excess to those in need.

When I think about my excess, I find my biggest area of excess is my long list of excuses for not giving love away to others. My attitude these days is also excessive. These two books have re-lit the fire to start giving love away again. There is no shortage of those in need, so it is just a matter of me getting started.

Today I made a phone call to a woman I know who is struggling through divorce and a new life on her own. I had asked her to coffee about four months ago and never followed up. Shame on me. She is a non-believer and needs to be shown true Christian love.

Today I am also starting to shed the excess in my attitude, which I can assure you, doesn't show much love to others. I will not complain, whine, demand or be grumpy. I will let others get the last word. I will not try to always be right. I will show mercy and grace in dealing with my family and friends. I will trust God to deal with others, as I trust Him to deal with me.

I will take this one day at a time.

How about you? Do you care to join me on this endeavor?