I’m sitting on my bed typing. The dryer hums in the background and crickets chirp outside. I savor the gentle peace of this moment. It’s cool tonight—fall has arrived. I pull my sleeves down over my wrists and enjoy the laptop’s warmth on my legs. I breathe deep and look around. Folded laundry sits near me; I might forget about it until tomorrow. Friday’s leftover stack of school papers reminds me that I must prepare for the week ahead.
“The week ahead”, this phrase plays over and over again in my mind.
I fast forward 7 days and attempt to comprehend the sights and sounds of next Sunday. My family and I will leave for NYC mid-day, in preparation for the release of One Light Still Shines. Three short hours takes us to a world that appears far different than ours, but it is not.
The essence of our days remains the same. We all experience life’s circles. These ever flowing bands wrap themselves around us. The cords of life and death intermingle and sometimes confuse the heart. One moment yields stunning victory and another, crushing defeat. Bittersweet. I know it all too well.
No matter where we live we need the same things to survive- love, encouragement, help, hope, and friendship with the One who will never leave us. On the bad days we must believe that tomorrow will indeed surpass today and that this life contains beauty currently undiscovered. On the good days we must continue moving forward and not settle for the places we’ve currently landed. The truth is this: our lives brim with endless potential found in receiving love, and finding that we have something of value to give away. The greatest beauty lies in that which we give to others.
This world needs you. You hold a unique treasure, only you can love others your way. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21). I give you this challenge: encourage one person today and after that, encourage as many others as possible. See what happens: watch the way they are changed and feel the love explosion within your own heart. Giving life always fills you with EVEN MORE life!
So this is what I think about next week—I’m preparing for an extravagant opportunity to give love, to live love and to proclaim the amazing love of Jesus over every person in this world. The venue is different than that of a typical day. The area is larger than my general reach, but the end result holds the same opportunity. My aim? To give the hope that God has given me.
Freely I have received; freely I will give. Sounds like a recipe for the best Christmas morning ever.
The most extravagant gifts are waiting under the tree for those who are ready to open them from Abba and through you life journey they are going to have the freedom to open those gifts….let the healing river flow
Thanks Harmony! You encouraged me 🙂
Marie, that was beautiful. I love that verse in Proverbs (even though it’s one that I often struggle with). Today I accept your challenge to encourage one person (maybe 7?!:) today and more each day after that. My words will bring much love and kindness to people today. Through Jesus, I know that I will be able to overcome my weaknesses and bring glory to His awesome name!
Thanks Jennie! Your patience and very presence is a wonderful encouragement, I know it because I’ve experienced it!
And, I just LOVE you!! 🙂 Didn’t want that to go unspoken. 🙂 XOXO
Hi Marie,
Once again you write is such a beautiful way. God is using you as an instrument of his love and kindness. I just preordered your book this morning. I live in Lancaster, Pa. I am so happy to be on your blog. I would always think and pray for you long after the tradgedy and wonder how you and the children were doing.
I just lost my 31 year old son, Larry, on September 6. He had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He lived a faithfull life. God used me as an instrument for his love and kindness while I and his medical staff took such great care of him. He died peacefully in his sleep. I miss him but I know that he is now free in heaven and I will continue to work hard on this earth so that I too will see him in Heaven!
God Bless you and your family.
Love,
Sandy Sills
Dear Sandy,
Thanks for your message of encouragement! I pray that you would continue to find the beauty of God’s mercy as he leads you along this healing road.
-Marie
such beauty friend! love you deep!
Love you too!
Beautiful, wonderful, insightful, wise: all words I think of when I think of you and you have managed to show them all in this one post. Love to you for today, tomorrow, next week and the coming months. You are a great ambassador of the kingdom!
Love you too! Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂