By Alison Feinauer
My son’s 10th birthday was on an ordinary Tuesday, but he wasn’t going to have a birthday party until the following Friday. However, on his birthday, the doorbell rang and our neighbor dropped off a gift. Then a few hours later, another neighbor dropped off a gift. He opened the gifts and really loved them. He felt known, cared for and celebrated even though his celebration was delayed.
As his mom, I was beyond thankful that our friends/neighbors remembered his birthday and brought him joy. It was even more gratitude than I would have felt if I had received a gift from them. The way they loved my son (my most prized blessing), made me feel so loved too.
It made me think of how our Father feels when we love His kids and creation. It’s almost an extension of our love for Him. He feels even more joy, when we are kind to others. It’s like a proud dad when their kid feels loved and happy and known. I want to please my Dad and show Him how I love others. I want to go beyond just being kind to my neighbors; I want to bless those who are hard for me to love too.
We can’t do this in our own strength. We need a power beyond us, supernatural love that comes from knowing Christ and having his love come through us.
Take time to show someone extra love, extra grace, extra kindness. This will bless our Father in heaven. It will bless you, and you will bring delight to our Father.
I’d love for you to remember a time that someone did something for you and maybe remind them of how that made you feel.
“He who refreshes others he himself will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
“When you do this to the least of these, you do it for me” (Matthew 25:40).
“For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
