Daily Life: Say “ I Love You”

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”- 1 John 4:7

I've been thinking a lot about how we are called to build one another up in love and spur each other on towards Christ. Sometimes I think we get caught up in ourselves and miss it.

Yet, I've been so spurred on at times when people have encouraged me intentionally. And sometimes just encouraging others brings such joy and excitement for God as well. 

 I want to encourage you to tell people that you love them and some reasons why. As I know more and more how God loves me, it should compel me to love others. One of the simplest ways we show love to others is by telling them! I believe we can do this in big ways and small.

1)    Say “I love you. And I’m thankful that you….” when you see him/her.

2)     Make a short list of things you love about each family member and read it in person to immediate family and send it in cards and emails to extended family.

3)     Call (or send a text, facebook message, or e-mail) affirming something specific you’ve recently noticed about the person

4)    Send a card and write in it something you appreciate about the person and sign that you love them

5)    Pray for them when they come to mind and then tell them you did


Will you take this challenge with me and share with someone that you love them and God loves them even more?

I’d love to hear creative ways you’ve shared that you love someone. Or share about someone who impacted you when they told you they love you. Leave a comment with your story below!

Comments

Anonymous said…
It's a slight bit different, but this reminds me of a pact my neighbor and I made to try and lessen the tension of a volunteer group we were both in. We'd noticed there was a lot of stress and petty arguments in the group and that less and less volunteers were showing at each meeting. So we made a pact to tell one person in the group each day (call, email, or face-to-face) why we liked and appreciated them or complimented them (especially good for the people we didn't know as well). We'd thank them for a volunteer act or mention that we liked them for a positive attribute. Sometimes it was just "those are gorgeous shoes" but the idea was to give something positive to each member before the next meeting (and a few extras the night of the meeting).

It was amazing how it grew...we heard many more positives toward each other and more people volunteered for things (often within their praised group...the gal who I thanked for teaching me how to create a budget signed up to be the next treasurer).

I've tried to keep this going in my personal life. I know I have a tendancy to remember slights and bad things more than the good things and kindnesses which people do or say to me. I'm working on being more upbeat and noticing the happy things. But mostly I'm working on commenting on those positive things, so that others realize how they positively impact people (or at least me *smiles*).

-- Mary
February 12, 2011 at 1:50 AM
Making the Most said…
wow. that's awesome. and wise. and yeah- i'm horrible at holding onto the bad too:(

funny you commented though. i always think of you because you are so good at affirming people (and giving good gifts!). thanks for sharing- i feel loved that you read my blog AND commented:)
February 13, 2011 at 1:11 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Fallen Idol- one man's sin exposed my own

CJ Mahaney steps down as SGM President... I'm still midprocess, but wanted to share thoughts on what God is teaching me. This week, I read that the President of our family of churches was voluntarily stepping down for a season of discipline and restoration because of sins of pride, sinful judgement, lack of submission to accountability, and even spiritual blackmail. We were assured this has been a year and 1/2 long process and he had already been restored to many he had wounded in his sin, but is stepping down to help healing personally and in Sovereign Grace Ministries as a whole. One (godly) man compiled 600 pages of documents of accusations and emails that he sent to CJ and that were posted online. I read through much of it as I grieved and wondered what this means for the church we've loved these past 6 months and our family. Andy and I prayed. I cried. And then I poured over websites of hurt former members and the official documents. They were written personally to ...
Read more

When Homeschool is all over the home

Image
I was ready to give up. I began thinking maybe I should just expect to eat at a table covered in math manipulatives and maps. Over a period of time and in a variety of ways, God lead us to homeschool our boys years ago. I've come to adore homeschooling my kids (most days), but we've never been able to make a "homeschool room" work for us. We somehow wind up on the living room couch or at the kitchen table. Every day. Learning about atoms and molecules Reviewing Latin Oh how the math manipulatives take over the table.  Are you getting the point that we use this room a lot? I remember reading that God has made everything beautiful in his time and thinking that I LOVE that HE's made beautiful things and places and people. It's a cool reflection of Him. I really enjoy pretty spaces in people's homes. It feels welcoming to me. I'm fine with toys everywhere, but I also love welcoming others to a peaceful, homey space. So I began wondering if...
Read more

Because I Forget...

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.   Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”- Ephesians 5:15-17 I’m starting this blog to hold me accountable to live in a way that glorifies God and to encourage other young women and moms who are daily striving to seek Christ alone and make the most of every opportunity to know Him more and make Him known. In my posts I’ll share ways our family looks for the “gospel reminders” in our daily lives and traditions. I need this because I forget. I wander daily away from the truth that I need Christ and I’m not self-sufficient. I forget how much He loves me and offers forgiveness and grace because of His love for me. This is about my journey to know Him more and how I see the gospel in fresh ways and teach it to my children through traditions and daily life. Truly Christ is the center and central theme of the Bible, in my personal...
Read more