kindness

The gift: blessing!

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Words are powerful.    In the Bible the book of James says the tongue can pour forth both blessings and curses.  The person that can control the tongue is perfect.  My heart’s greatest longing is to use my words to bless and build up others.  I know I have hit the jackpot (Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!) when my gift causes the recipient to burst out in tears and exclaimations. 🙂

The picture above is a photo I took and downloaded to PowerPoint then added text using each letter of my friend’s name to describe a virtue or character trait I admired about her.  The next thing I did was find an interesting rock from my garden and painted the word “Precious” and the Bible reference Jeremiah 31:3 on it.  My purpose was to let her know just how precious she is to God for He says “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”.   I will give my friend and co-worker these gifts tomorrow night for her going away party.  Do you think I will hit the jackpot?  Would you like to receive such a humble gift of love?

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Consider yourself served!

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Out of the heart

“Consider yourself served!”. That can be a statement accompanying divorce papers or a notice to appear in court or a slam to your backcourt you can’t reach in a tennis match.  The voice and body language is triumphant and meant to underline who won.  For the reciever it comes as bad news and often the reluctant and sad admission of being the loser.  This type of game playing is upside down thinking for the Christ follower and has no place for the server.  Yes, Jesus calls us to say “You have been served!”. Not with the glee of rising above the loser but with the hilarity of delivering unexpected kindness.  If we are to be like our Heavenly father who causes the sun to shine on the just and on the unjust and gives EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE CAN ASK OR THINK than this should be our aim as well: Indiscriminating, bend over backwards generousity and kind hearted hands-on care for whoever God puts in our way.  You have been served!