The Bible Says

Love One Another
by Charlie Grier
 

Historians tell us that “VALENTINE’S DAY” was not observed in America until the 1800’s, (about the time of the Civil War).

When I was a child, I was fascinated with pictures of children hanging “May Baskets” on May 1st, or of someone demonstrating love on Valentines Day.

Nothing a man can do to win, and retain, the affection of his darling Wife compares to a thoughtful gift, or some gesture of love, on Valentine’s Day.

During the 54 years of our married life, we were engaged in pioneer ministry much of the time with very little money to spend on each other. Dora was always able to make some little thing for me on special days, and I, on occasion, bought a cheap card for her. Suddenly I realized that I was not being fair. Her heart craved love above all else! I did love her but I was not showing her the kind of love she deserved.

Now when I feel the need of a little lift, I take down the large plastic container jammed full of heart-felt Cards and meaningful gifts accumulated during the last 30 years of our married life. One of my treasures is a beautiful painting of our Lord she painstakingly produced through the Paint-By-Number plan.

A Bouquet Of Love

by Sherry Armendariz

Here I sit melted over a chair --- exhausted. I’ve been watching my stepmother, Rose, share herself with others.

She starts her day with a 30-minute swim, “just to get my heart started, Dear.” Then it’s telephoning friends, making arrangements to open her house to another exchange student, writing to people who need a kind word, cooking for a friend who broke her hip, writing in her journal, cutting a bouquet for a neighbor --- and its not even one o’clock

“Mom, why don’t you slow down a little?” I ask. I knew it would make me feel better.

She replies, “Dear, I have all this energy and I might as well use it. I am not going to be here forever. There are so many people who have grown too comfortable and have isolated themselves from others --- so many who have lost interest in life, so many where loneliness knocks on their door a little too loudly. Life is too precious, too exciting, too short, to miss a moment.”

I struggled out of my chair to put pen and paper in front of her to get her to share her ideas. It’s the longest I have ever seen her sit down.

So if you want to unwind and extend yourself, try these ways to reach out --- compliments of a human whirlwind.

  1. When you’ve missed friends at church or at meeting, call and tell them that you are concerned
  2. Give compliments freely. But don’t give one to get one in return --- give because people need to be reminded of positive things about themselves.
  3. Give stuff away. Keep a drawer filled with small things such as books, barrettes, and jars of jam, and give them to friends freely. Give away things you haven’t used in a year. Let go, let go, let go --- it’s only material stuff.
  4. Be spontaneous. Send cards and letters to people when the idea strikes you. Don’t let it pass. For your friends, make booklets of cartoons, articles, poems, or anything related to their interests --- cats, bicycling, fishing.
  5. Hand latecomers in church a hymnal opened to the proper page.
  6. Say whatever comes from your heart. Leave nothing unsaid. Treat each encounter as though it was your last.
  7. Tell friends and family how much you love them. Don’t wait for a special occasion.
  8. Keep reminding your partner how much that person means to you. Then prove it with a simple act of kindness.
  9. Keep a birthday book. Call or send cards to people. Remember it’s not a duty; it’s a privilege to share someone’s special day.
  10. Do something for yourself everyday.
  11. Share your smiles with everyone. And when in doubt, always do the kind thing.
  12. Listen --- really listen --- to what people are saying and how they’re saying it.
  13. Give what you can to people in need: money, encouragement, emotional support.
  14. Take flowers to people not expecting them. You’ll thrill your hairdresser, dog groomer, someone you don’t really know. Tell people you’d like to get to know them better.
  15. Pay the bridge toll of the person behind you.
  16. Try something new once a month.
  17. Share your talents or skills. Teach someone how to fish or grow African violets.
  18. Trade jobs with a friend. Mend his shirts if he’ll dig up that rose bush for you.


Living like this will make your heart bloom like a flower --- each petal touching someone else. Start today.

Bible Friend, May 1997, p8

KINDNESS

“Put on therefore . . . mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12).

Kindness is love doing little things, things that seem scarcely worth doing, and yet which mean much to those for whom they are wrought. Kindness lends a hand when another is burdened. It speaks the cheerful word when a heart is discouraged. It goes about performing little ministries with a touch of blessing.

“Add to your faith . . . brotherly kindness . . . and to brotherly kindness love” (II Peter 1:7).

Uncle Ben’s p.209 (abridged)