Sunday, August 12, 2012

There is no greater love than...& gifts of love!

We all have a love language. Mine is not gifts, giving or receiving.
During the last days before closing the container (the “box of love”), Steve and I were there finishing packing. An amazing sister in Christ came that day with her car filled with very specific gifts and a light lunch for us. What truly amazes me about these gifts was the thought that was put into them.
Throughout a period of 3 months, I had spent many hours talking to this friend and telling stories. Stories of people the Lord has entrusted us to. Specifically I am talking about Nancy (the lady that lives at the soup kitchen and gives of herself daily no matter what), and our adopted family—Mom Natalie and her husband Gabriel with sister Andrea and children Johanna, Walter, Alexis and Uriel. This friend evidently listened to absolutely every detail. She may be the best listener I have ever met!

She wrote a letter of encouragement to Nancy, Natalie, Gabriel and Andrea. These letters were so “Holy Spirit” led it truly blew me away. Then she made gift bags for each person. So much detail was put into these bags. For example, in Natalie’s letter she wrote something to the effect that she was so special to the Lord, refined as gold (I am not sure the exact wording as we already gave the letter to her)—then she had a pair of gold earrings in the gift bag! In Nancy’s bag she had a beautiful bible and an apron that is almost too pretty to get dirty! But all the bags were meant to show the love of Christ and how very special they are to the Lord. Well, of course, the boys were super happy with all the toys, especially the motorcycle toys. And Johanna, she felt so special with her own beautiful box that had a key (her own space for her hair and jewelry that was also given) and could not get over how soft the Barbie’s hair was!




I wish that my friend was here to share in giving these gifts. All I can say is that they were such a blessing to each one. We had kept our adopted families gifts back for Kids Day. Kids Day in Argentina is a huge deal and thanks to our friend, we were able to give beautiful gifts. Since I am not a “gift person”, it was amazing to take part in giving these gifts of love. It was such joy!

It reminds me of the good gifts the Lord gives to us. I am talking about friends. Friends are gifts from the Lord that are there in the good times to celebrate with you. And friends are gifts from the Lord that are there in the storms, helping to take down the sails on your boat and row with you. They are there to encourage you to “press on” in your faith and service to our Lord Jesus. Steve and I are grateful for each one of our friends that stand alongside us in prayers, encouraging words, gifts and finances. Truly the Lord has blessed us. I am reminded of the Words of Jesus, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We may not have to die for someone, but there are other ways to practice sacrificial love: listening, helping, encouraging and giving. I challenge you to think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love and give all the love you can, and then try to give a little more. I am grateful.

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