“A new commandment I give
to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to
love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if
you have love for one another.” John 13:
34-35 (ESV)
It’s the very last day of October. The gold and crimson leaves are
falling in the autumn wind creating a warm, multi-colored blanket on the lawn. October
has also been pastor-appreciation month. How does one show appreciation to
their pastor — or their spouse, friends and other family members? - By using
the 3-L’s in their interactions: Listen, Laugh and Love.
“I’d like orange marmalade with that,” my husband Bill said to the
waitress one Saturday morning as she put a plate of toast in front of him.
“We don’t have any,” she apologized.
Bill meets twice a month for an early Saturday morning breakfast with a
few men from our church. As he went to the counter to pay that jam-less
morning, he noticed some marmalade on a shelf. “There’s some right there,” he
pointed out. The men laughed at his insistent reaction and remembered his disappointed
but fun attitude.
As the people planned ways to show their appreciation during October the
congregation showed their thanks by using those 3-L’s. They had heard and
remembered Bill’s lament over the lack of orange marmalade on a previous
Saturday morning. They all enjoyed the fun of the allusive sweet orange rind
and they showed their love on the first Sunday of October. Families in our
small country church brought in jars of orange marmalade, eighteen in total, and
blessed him with a … citric jelly jar shower!
Use the 3-L’s to develop other solid relationships. (1) Listen – Many
people believe that no one hears them. Be the very best listener you can be.
(2) Laugh until all the lines in your face go up. There are very few things in
this life that merit an argument. Laugh with,
not at others. Buddy, don’t
bully. Then, (3) love freely, asking for nothing in return. Love one another as
Jesus loved His disciples. Those who don’t know Him will see His light
reflected in our love. Love enough to fill eighteen jars to the brim … and running
over until it sweetens all those around us. Let us pray:
“Our father God, you sent love to earth in the embodiment of your son,
Jesus. He asked us to love one another and to share that love with others
beyond our group. As the wind chills, we will be coming into the blessed season
of Jesus’ birth, when we share love freely. Let today be the day that I decide
to listen, laugh and love with others every day, not just during selected months
of the year, whether that be October or December. I admit I want my own needs
met. Forgive me when I’m too busy to see the needs of those around me. May I
spread enough love to fill eighteen jars to over-flowing. In the name of your
son, my savior and redeemer, Jesus I pray. Amen”
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you
mine.”
Copyright 2015 Doris Gaines Rapp
A big thank you to the 631 readers who signed up to try to win one of ten
copies of my newest book, News at Eleven – A Novel, at Goodreads.
Another big thanks to those who came to Mt Etna’s Bazaar last Saturday.
It was great meeting so many readers!
I will sign all six novels at the following upcoming book-signings.
11/07/15 Whitley
County Historical Museum Author Fair – Time: 1-4pm. Columbia City, IN
11/14/15 Allen County Public Library –
Author Fair – Time: 1-4pm. Main Library – Fort Wayne, IN. I also speak on the
second panel, “Write On! – Steps to Fabulous Fiction”
All books
are also available on Amazon.com
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