Articles with the Tag authentic life

LANGUAGE OF LOVE

Barriers, Connections, Life, Love
Published on

When Valentine’s Day approaches, people in America as well as in other countries, naturally think about love.

Unexpectedly, my mind gravitated to the wildly popular book, “The Five Love Languages,” by Gary Chapman, Ph.D., author, speaker, and counselor.

In his book, he explains five ways people express and receive love.

  1. Words of affirmation
  2. Quality time
  3. Physical touch
  4. Acts of service
  5. Receiving gifts

As you look at this list, take a moment to identify the way you like to show love to others. Also, determine which kind of action from others makes you feel loved.

As a counselor, Gary knows that many marriages have been saved when both the husband and wife knew how their partners desired to receive love. And marriages also became strong when both partners understood the way their mates preferred to express love to other people and were willing to allow time and space for that to happen.

This kind of knowledge and understanding can also improve interactions between parents and their children, with dating couples, among roommates, between fragile teenagers, or in any setting where dialogs take place.

I remember my younger days when I roomed with two friends. We enjoyed one another but sometimes lacked good communication because our viewpoints were so different. However, we were able to understand and accept each other better after learning about the five love languages and realizing we each showed love to others in different ways.

One friend communicated her love through doing “acts of service” and being available whenever a need arose. My other friend showed her love by using her gift of mercy and imparting “words of affirmation” to everyone she met. Since my love language was “quality time,” I relished the chance to spend unhurried time with one person at a time. That way I could listen to them, encourage them, and let them know they matter to me. Happily, those roommates and I are still in touch after all these years.

The discovery of the five love languages also shifted my understanding of my caring mother, who loved me faithfully all her life. I never recognized that Mom expressed her love for me though “acts of service.” And what she longed to receive from me was “words of affirmation.” I wish I could have had more time to love her that way before God took her to heaven.

It’s wonderful to be loved by others, but the best way to fill our life with love, is to receive the love of God.

God embodies all the languages of love! Love from our Father is available to us every moment.

He can help you express genuine love to others and receive the kind of love He knows you need most.

I have loved you, my people,
with an everlasting love.
With unfailing love
I have drawn you to myself.
Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT)

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Now I See

Captivity, Choices, Connections, Faith, Freedom, Uncategorized
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“As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man who had been blind since birth” (John 9:1).

Perfectly orchestrated by God, Jesus slowed His steps until he stood in front of the blind man, who had lived without hope his entire life.

His disciples couldn’t resist asking Him whether the man’s blindness was the result of the man’s sin or his parents’ sins.

Jesus answered them, “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins. This [man’s blindness] happened so the power of God could be seen in him” (John 10:3).

Silently, Jesus spit on the ground and used his saliva to create mud. Lifting His arms, He carefully spread the mud on the blind man’s eyes. Next came His gentle words, “Go wash yourself in the Pool of Siloam” (John 10:7).

Let’s pause and put ourselves in his place…you have mud spread over your eyes. You wonder, what are people thinking about me? What if nothing happens? I’ll be an even bigger fool if I’m still blind.”

Yet, with fragile faith, the man clung to the arm of his helper as they ambled toward the Pool of Siloam. Once there, perhaps a kind soul reached in his robe, withdrew a cloth, and placed it in the assistant’s hand. After leading him down the steps to the water and saturating the cloth, the man’s companion softly wiped the brown mud from one closed eye and then the other.

The silent crowd waited. With hope filling his heart, the man gradually opened both eyes. A brilliant smile spread across his weathered face as he began his assent.

Can’t you imagine the commotion in the crowd when they saw him climb out of the pool by himself?

Though accustomed to staying in the shadows, he couldn’t resist raising his arms and shouting, “I can see! I can see!”

This joyful scene always reminds me of the chorus a group of my college friends and I enjoyed singing, along with gestures, “Walking, and leaping, and praising God; walking, and leaping, and praising God. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazarene, rise up and walk.” Though these words referred to the lame man’s miracle, we always envisioned the blind man jumping and leaping and praising God for the miracle of his sight!

Amazing symbolism is embodied in that unforgettable day. Jesus didn’t instruct the blind man to wash in the Pool of Siloam simply because it was the only source of fresh water within the walls of ancient Jerusalem.

God directed Him to choose the Pool of Siloam because Siloam means “sent.” Two people envisioned the significance this way:

The blind man was sent to a pool called “Sent”
by the One who was Himself sent by God into the world.

The One sent by God to be our Savior used the Pool
of “Sent” to prove that He is the Light of the World.

After the healed man returned, he had no time to celebrate his miracle. His neighbors and others who knew him didn’t believe his story and debated among themselves. The Pharisees and Jewish leaders constantly bombarded him with intense questions and angry accusations.

Worn out, his only recourse was to tell the truth: “I don’t know whether he is a sinner. But I know this: I was blind and now I can see?” (John 9:25).

As time passed by, this underprivileged man began to reply to questions with wisdom only God could have supplied. One day he announced to the leaders, “Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” (John 9:32-33).

Enraged, his accusers shouted at him, “Are you trying to teach us?” (John 9:34). Then they threw him out of the synagogue.

Later, when Jesus heard what happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35).

The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him,” (John 9:36).

“You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” (John 9:37).

“Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said and He worshiped Jesus. (John 9:38).

Jesus had already performed His miraculous physical healing. The man’s eyes were probably still bright with wonder. However, during this conversation, a greater healing had taken place. The moment the man declared, “Yes, Lord, I believe,” the Light of the World filled his heart, soul, and mind, and changed his life forever.

As we consider how God rescued us from an ordinary existence that would have left us without hope of eternal life, may we say with the blind man, “Once I was blind but now I see.”

“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens
and earth by your strong hand
and powerful arm.
Nothing is too hard for You!”
Jeremiah 32:17 (NLT)

Have you been faced with something in your life you thought was impossible to overcome and God provided an unexpected solution? Thank God as you recall your amazing experience and share it with others. Why not begin now by leaving your comment in the box below?

A Heart of Gratitude

Choices, Connections, Freedom, Life, Love
Published on

The days have rolled around to Thanksgiving week, a blessed time of the year. We naturally contemplate all the ways we can be thankful.

Below is a profound quote that focuses on gratitude, which means a general appreciation of life. The words filled my mind with possibilities. Perhaps you will feel the same.

It tells of simple ways our lives could change if we view our situations with a heart of gratitude. We can easily concentrate on things that are happening in our lives that we wish were different. However, looking at them through eyes of gratitude can change everything. As the first line says: Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life!

Gratitude unlocks life's fullness. - Melody Beattie

If you choose gratitude, what difference
might that make in your current situation?

To share your answer, post your comment below! 

Creative Connections

Connections, Faith, Hope, Joy, Life
Published on
Two women sitting on park benches.

While perched on a comfortable chair in the nail salon, I relished the chance to relax and devour more chapters from my favorite author’s book. Meanwhile, my sweet Vietnamese friend, Lily, created a beautiful set of newly-painted toenails for me. Afterwards, she pulled out her phone to show me the latest picture of her adorable young daughter.

I continued reading while waiting for my toenails to dry. When I turned and reached for my pink and white water container, the woman in the seat beside me smiled and asked, “What are you reading?”

After giving her a brief description, I asked what books she liked. She rattled off a few titles. We laughed about our mutual love of books and also exchanged names.

Mary proudly announced, “I belong to a book club.”

When I responded, “I’m an author,” Mary’s face lite up. “What do you write?”

“I’ve written several books about fear of rejection. They are based on my personal journey of struggling with fear and finding God’s path of freedom. Now I’m passionate about helping others let go of their fear so they can become their authentic self.”

“God has helped me a lot in my life,” Mary said, “but I sometimes still struggle with fear of what others think about me.”

Just then, Ty, one of the other nail technicians, beckoned her to his station for a manicure. Mary smiled at me, “Guess I’m on to part two!”

As she rose I told her, “I have a copy of two of my books in the car and I’d like to give them to you. I’ll connect with you before I leave.”

But a short while later, Mary reclaimed her original spa chair, prompting me to ask,

“What happened?”

“Ty asked me to wait here because he needed to pause briefly and assist another customer. He’ll let me know when he’s ready. Gail, Ty has never done that before. This is all a ‘God thing.’”

I smiled in agreement while enjoying her excitement. “Guess this gives us more time to talk!”

We finished our appointments at the same time, and Mary handed me a note that listed her contact information. As we walked to my car together, I think we both felt like old friends. After signing both books, I handed them to her, along with my contact information.

She planned to read the books and then suggest them to her book club. We promised to keep in touch, which would be easy since she lived only a few blocks from me. Once again, we acknowledged God’s hand in all that had transpired.

A few days later, Mary called about her discovery. “We have a mutual friend—Debbie Burton, whom you know from your Word Weavers critique group. She is the founder and leader of my book club. We taught together at Dover Shores Elementary.”

A few weeks passed. I was already scheduled to do a book signing with two author friends at a bookstore in a neighboring city. When I realized that my good friend Susan, who usually comes with me to these events, would be out of town, Mary’s name popped into my mind.

When I sent an email to Mary inviting her to go with me and help at the bookstore, her answer didn’t catch me off guard. It simply reminded me of myself many years ago when I held back from saying yes to opportunities if there were unknowns involved.

“I received your email last night,” Mary said, “but I wanted time to think about it a bit. Thank you for asking me. I think I’m ready to take a giant step out of my comfort zone and accompany you.”

I was proud of her for saying no to her fears and taking a step forward. Even though it was her first time being involved in this kind of event, she adapted quickly and helped me arrange my book table. I watched her delight as she met the other two authors as well as the people who wandered into the bookstore and stopped at our table. Our friendship deepened because of our  adventure.

God wasn’t finished with His creative connections at the nail salon. During my next appointment, a similar scenario unfolded. I was quietly reading my book, and when I looked up, the woman next to me asked, “What are you reading?”

We exchanged titles of favorite books as well as our names. When Dorothy discovered I wrote about fear of rejection, she said, “I would like to read your book.” I wrote down a title for her.

Like Mary, Dorothy was soon called away to Ty’s station for a manicure. Afterwards, she stopped by my chair. “Could I also have your email because I want to write you after I read your book.”

“Sure, that would be great. I’m glad we met, Dorothy.”

I hope Dorothy will call me, because I sensed sadness in her eyes. She had no pep and gave no indication of happiness. Even when she walked to Ty’s station, her slow steps gave me the impression that she had nothing to look forward to.

God created a beautiful opportunity to offer dignity to Dorothy that day by looking into her eyes, listening to her words, interacting with her, and paving the way for her to read my book that will speak to her heart. I believe God’s plan was for me to be one link in the chain of people who will eventually lead Dorothy to Jesus.

The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
from there he rules over everything.
Praise the Lord, you angels,
you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
listening for each of his commands.
Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
who serve him and do his will!

Psalm 103:19-21
(New Living Translation)

Have you had an unexpected connection with someone recently? Did you sense that God created the opportunity for you? Click below to share your experience. I hope you will preserve your memory by writing in your journal or another special place.