Albert and I have been collecting movies
since we were first married. VHS to DVD
and now BD if we want. Many years ago,
when the collection started to get too big to manage and find what we wanted, I
made a searchable database which has now grown quite large. But all those movies and tv series wouldn’t
mean anything to me if we couldn’t share them with friends and family. I love to bring other people pleasure by
loaning them out, and we don’t charge late fees, or any fees!
For me, all the things we have are to be
shared. Disks, books, car rides,
talents, wisdom, insight, food (maybe not my cooking though J ) bicycles, tools are far more enjoyable when used to help others. My favourite thing of all to share with others
is a four letter word. Love. I’ve been so blessed by those who have loved
me and I am overwhelmed by the Father’s love.
There is so much love in my life that I can’t possibly keep it inside—I
just want to share it with everyone. However,
it is the unconditional love of the Father that amazes me the most.
As we forgive because the Father
forgives us (Mr. 11:25,26) so we should love because the Father loves us. “If anyone says, I love God, and hates his
brother, he is a liar. For if he does not love his brother whom he has seen,
how can he love God whom he has not seen? And we have this commandment from
Him, that he who loves God should love his brother also.” (1Jh. 4:20 ,21)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God,
and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. The one who does
not love has not known God. For God is love. In this the love of God was
revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we
might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He
loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation concerning our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love
one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God
dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us. …And we have known and believed
the love that God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in
God, and God in him. 1Jh. 4:7-12,16
Who are we to love? Everyone: “…You shall love your neighbor as
yourself…” (Mr. 12:31) Fellow followers
of Jesus: “By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love
toward one another.” (Jh. 13:35) Even
your enemies: “…Love your enemies…” (Mt. 5:44)
Is it tough? Some days, with some
people it is especially difficult, but always possible, all because of the love
of God that He poured in us: “…the love of God has been poured out in our
hearts through the Holy Spirit given to
us.” (Rm. 5:5)
Just how do we share the Father’s love? We love in words and deeds. Love can be shown in smiles at shoppers,
giving a surprise birthday gift, listening ears with troubled co-workers,
giving food to the hungry, sharing God’s Word in humility, leaving the last
seat for the hurting, welcoming a stranger, helping a neighbour, carrying
groceries, etc. There are as many ways
of saying and showing God’s love through our love to others as there are hairs
on our heads. God loved us just as we
were before we even knew Him (Rm. 5:8) and so we should love others even when
they don’t or can’t love us back.
God
has shared His great love with us, so we ought to share that love with others!
(Lord, please help us with this!!!)