LIVE LOVE

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (NIV)

Don’t you just love the first line of an old song by Mort Dixon (1927)? "I’m looking over a four-leaf clover I overlooked before. One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain, third is the roses that grow in the lane. No need explaining the one remaining, is somebody I adore. I’m looking over a four-leaf clover I overlooked before." Well, I found another four-leaf clover in our daughter, Vicki’s front yard yesterday. Since it was her yard, I gave the clover to her. A few years, I found this one in our son Jim’s yard. I posted it on FB and someone asked if I look for them. No, I look down and the grass seems different, like something is there. I look closer and it’s a four-leaf clover. They find me. I don’t look for them.

Miracles are like that. While going about our day, little miracles step into our path. We wonder why they don’t appear large and bold as they did in the days of Jesus. It’s because we don’t need them. If we can’t see the little ones, we won’t see the large ones either. We overlook them each time.

We want to see healing and riches and mountains brought down in front of us. The little song says the luck or blessings of the four-leaf clover are, (1) the glory of sunshine, (2) the freshness of rain, (3) the beauty of roses, and (4) the healing power of love. We are to give thanks in all circumstances. Many of us want to dictate to God just what details of our circumstances we will tolerate and rejoice in. They are the ones for which we have placed an order. We can never see the rays of sun if we focus on the darkness of our wants. We cannot see the miracle of rain if we haven’t been parched by the dessert. The beauty of the rose is never seen if we are frozen by wounds of the thorns. And, the miracle of love is never present when we demand to be loved rather than offering the abundant love of the Lord. In ALL things be thankful and rejoice, praying every moment for His love to reach someone around us. Love can never be attained. It is found within the love we offer to others. Happiness can never be our goal. It is a byproduct of the way we live our lives. Live for Him, love in His place, and tiny miracles will stack up like cordwood around our lives. Let us pray:

"Father God, we thank you for your son Jesus who taught us that you are Abba, Daddy, not a god of fear and anger. Holy and sweet is your name. May we rejoice always, as the angels in heaven sing out your name and tell of your glory. May this be the very moment when we begin to see every miracle in our lives. Forgive us when we believe that miracles come in sizes and we want only the largest one. How many blessings have be turned down because the bragging rights were too small? We love you Lord and we choose to see you in the face of everyone we meet, find joy in every laughter-filled moment and give love away whenever we need loving. In the name of Jesus Christ, our savior we pray. Amen"

Doris

"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp

My new novel, Smoke from Distant Fires, is now available at www.cokesbury.com, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com or you can order it from your bookstore. A review on Amazon or Barnes and Noble would be great!
Length of Days - The Age of Silence and Escape from the Belfry are now available at www.cokesbury.com too - as well as the other online bookstores and ready to be ordered at your local bookstore.
Website: www.dorisgainesrapp.com
Facebook: Doris Gaines Rapp - Author Page