Live and love well out of the love we receive from Christ.
Walking. Taking steps. Moving forward. As we enter a new year, I want to invite you to join me in taking steps to walk in love more fully! God asks us to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). Last week we talked about choosing to Listen to the Voice of Love. We receive love from God. As we receive His love, we express His love to others.
Merry Christmas, friends! When I think of Christmas, my heart is drawn again and again to the verse in John 1 that says “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This begins Jesus’ life of love lived in the flesh with us. It is amazing that our God would connect with us this way! It is life changing when we allow His love to define who we are. Let’s listen for the voice of Love this Christmas.
As we move into winter and the days become shorter, I like to light candles. I light one on the kitchen counter on school mornings to cheer our day. I light one at dinner as we gather together as a family to reflect on our day. And, of course, I light one whenever I simply feel like it!
{Home is the starting place for lived-out-love, a place where the needs of the whole person are cared for. This post explores spiritual care.}
Jesus is our Shepherd, and we are his sheep. Thinking of our relationships this way sets the tone for spiritual care and relationships within our home. Seeing ourselves as “fellow sheep” would be helpful for any people living together under the same roof! Knowing Jesus as the Shepherd puts our relationships into perspective. When we have a growing relationship with Jesus and trust him to work in others’ lives, it is humbling, hope-giving, and freeing for our relationships with one another.
Happy Thanksgiving week, friends! Trusting God opens my eyes to see all the gifts He gives us. I pray the words in this post move you one step closer to trust and gratitude. These thoughts come right out of my journals, from my heart to yours!
Writing these posts has been a gift from God these past months. Ideas and words come to me, and I write them down before I lose them. An analogy comes to me, maybe as I weed or notice the grass growing out-of-control. This has been a joy for me! And then it’s my responsibility to respond, with the attention and work to put it into words. This joy has been somewhat of a surprise to me! 
