Wednesday,
March 18th:
By
Lynda Varno
SCRIPTURE:
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us
not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
REFLECTION:
I call it the Jodilee Syndrome.
Anyone knows that if the fabulous Jodi Kirk gently asks you to participate in
something, that answer is always, "Yes!" No matter what it is, I
always say, "Yes," to Jodi Kirk. This essay is one of those
"Yeses!" Jodi has a beautiful, infectious magic about her that I'm
pretty sure could change the world. Yes, the world needs more people just as
lovely as Jodi Kirk. Why am I talking about Jodi when I am supposed to be
delivering a piece on struggle? Well, isn't that question in itself the
struggle?
How often do you really, and I mean really,
tell the people that you feel so wonderfully blessed by just how much their
love impacts you? I struggle with this scenario far too much. There are so many
people that I see on a usual basis; and yet, most of them have no clue how
wonderful their presence makes me feel. I get so lost in going through the
motions, or getting to the next meeting, that I constantly forget to talk about
the important stuff. Stuff like, "Thank you," or "You are
great," "I love you," "I need you,"
"I'd be lost without you, " "I'm so glad we're friends."
Yes- these are the phrases that I struggle with. And; then again, I'm
struggling with these words because it would require time. Isn't that a
novel idea? Taking time to talk to people you love? Taking time to let people
know how you feel? Being brave no matter the response? It can be difficult to
tell people how you feel about them, but it takes courage to show them
how you feel.
Think of all the ways you show
people that you love them. Think of all the ways that you demonstrate love to
others. I hope that when my husband opens his lunch box at work he knows that
the contents were made with love. I hope that when I drop my kids off at school
and tell them to have a great day that they know that I love them and will miss
them as soon as I step out the door. I hope when I hug my friends that they
feel all the love, amazement, and thankfulness that I have for every single one
of them. Yes, telling people how you feel is difficult, displaying love is
difficult, but the STRUGGLE of never doing either of those things is ever more
present.
Stop the struggle. Stop the nagging
inner-voice of nonsense. Stop the madness. Go out today and tell someone you
love them. Go out today and hug someone that needs it. Go out today and tell
your friend how much you love them and how very thankful you are for their
love, support and constant presence. No matter what you do, DO something. Say
something. Show someone love. Be the love that this world needs today. It
starts with you, my friend. I'm blessed that you're reading this and I LOVE
you; yes even you, too!
PRAYER:
Join with me in prayer:
Heavenly Creator, thank you for the
beautiful struggle of today. Thank you for the wondrous love you give to me,
even when I feel I don't deserve it. Help me to foster your message of love in
my heart and to share it with those who make my heart dance in joy. Help me to
show love in the midst of daily struggles and to find the words to say it,
Lord. Allow me to be filled by your grace, washed by your mercy and embraced in
your goodness. Yes, Lord, I need you, I'm thankful for you and I'm so glad
we're friends. Amen. And Amen.
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