Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Show Some Love!

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You know, I gotta go there. I have to!
Valentines is SOOO much more
than a way to sell Hallmark, roses and jewelry.
And if I see another commercial for a special Vermont Bear,
I just won't be responsible for my actions! PUUH-Leez!

What it Really Is
2 years ago on Valtentine's Day,
I was feeling really mushy towards My Abba Father.
I remember telling Him in my morning prayer,
that for this day, what I wanted for Valentines,
was to be able to show Him
that I loved Him.
Would He help me to do that?


Why certainly He would!

We have a young man,
who lives directly across the street.
He is probably 19 or so now.
He would have been around 17 then.
Anyway, since he was old enough to walk, this child
has been one to wander the neighborhood and creepy-crawl
into people 's yards, day or night.
His story is quite sad, and well documented by all the proper authorities.
So it's not like we looked the other way.
We tried to be friendly with him, several times.
But, he was so unwell,
it was deemed best for him and our son ,
if we were just were friendly from afar.
He has real anger issues, and that makes it difficult.
Going and getting a pellet gun to resolve a disagreement
with our son and his friend, about a casual game of street hockey,
proved to be the final straw there.
As said young man got older,
the creepy-crawling into yards, and breaking into places,
and stealing from yards and houses,
well, it engendered less sympathy and more caution, trepidation even.

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For about a year he took to standing by our mail box at night.
and smoking cigarettes and leaving them there,
just to let us know he'd been there.
Then over the Christmas Holidays,
he took some magazines out of our mail box,
and when he was done with them,
put them in the mail box with other mail.
No, we can't prove it, but, they had soooo obviously
been in someone's home for quite a while,
and they were at least 2 weeks late.
But, I figured it was relatively harmless.
And as scary as he was getting to be,
I still had a thimblefull of compassion for him.
So, now it's Valentine's,
I walk out to the mail box, the day is pretty,
my heart mushy, the birds are singing.
Imagine my chagrin, when 2 pieces of important mail,
1 to an attorney,
that I had put in the mail box the day before are in there.
Now, mind you I had put the flag up, and then,
that afternoon picked up the mail from the mail box
that was dropped off that afternoon,
(and my mail to be picked up was gone like it should be).
NOW it is the next day (Valentine's Day).
And the mail is back in the mail box
WITH THE FLAG UP!
It's like Ground Hog Day, the movie that is!
The mail that had previously, apparently been picked up,
had apparently NOT been picked up by the mailman,
but our wonderful mail-tampering neighbor!
OOOOOOOOHHHH!!!
Flames! Coming out of my head!
That was it, I wanted it fingerprinted! He was going down.
Or was he?
As I walked back to the house, I felt God calling in His marker.
Abba Father: Show him mercy. Do me this favor.
Show me love, by showing my love.
Me: Awww...what if he does it again?
Oh, OK.
Heaven knows You have shown ME enough mercy, Father!
I discussed it with my husband and
(that is always how God confirms things I am unsure about),
and Mr Law Enforcement himself verified,
that this seemed like the right thing to do.
So we continued to overlook.
And eventually he tired of this sport.
Thank goodness!
So, what's the point you ask?
Don't be conformed to this world!
(Gee I think someone really important said that before me!?)
Nothing wrong with celebrating with your loved one,
or your loved ones (family/friends).
But, turn your back on all that our culture says it has to be.
Don't wait on love to come to you!
Be the first! Be the first to show some love!
It doesn't have to be showy!
It can be as simple as an act of service,
or an act of mercy!
Give him a pedicure!
Make his favorite breakfast, even if you have to get up early to do it!
Call that old friend, you know that one who only calls you when they need something,
yes, that one!
Bring muffins and donuts to the office.
Make sure the snotty people get their favorites!
Yes, I said snotty!
Facts are facts, those are the ones who need the love most!
I leave with this thought:
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you;"
Matthew 5:44

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11 comments:

Denise said...

Wow, what an awesome post, and very true.

luvmy4sons said...

Beautiful, beautfiul. Amen dear sister. I am so proud of you. As Christ said, " If you love only those who love you..." It is easier said than done though. Way to go sister! Inspiring!

Sharon Brumfield said...

Seems we are thinking along the same line-- Go ahead reach out and love.

I hope that one day your lives will break through to that young angry man.
Love will win out. I saw the evidence of that just today.

Cecily R said...

Great post. Great story. Great reminder.

Happiest Valentine's Day Maria!!

Masked Rabbit said...

YOu know, this was a fun post but with a real tough message and yes, I was convicted. Especially people at the office etc.
Have a great Valentines honey and know that someone on a small island is thinking of you.

Unknown said...

I would appreciate it if you would stop stepping on my toes.

Karen Hossink said...

Make sure the snotty ones get their favorite?
You are precious!!!
Thanks for reminding us to love like HE loves.

Unknown said...

Awesome post! Happy Love Day! Keep loving those enemies,they wont know what hit them!

quance said...

You may want to invest in a web cam with infared (so that it can see at night) Just point it out a window at the mailbox. What this guy is doing is harassment and a Federal crime. If he is left unchecked his behavior may escalate. A visit from postal inspectors with video evidence may cause him to rethink his actions. Just a thought.

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

What a great post and great reminders!! I love it!!

She Rose Up said...

Hey, Denise. Thank you! You know I was struck with the easier said than done aspect of this, AFTER I posted it. I didn't emphasize enough that showing mercy, sure wasn't my first inclination or even my idea at all! But, I'm hopin' that people know that.

Leslie, you're always so encouraging! Thank you! Like I was telling Denise, being "nice" was so NOT my first inclination! (Ok I'm proofing this & I see I said the same thing to Denise that you said to me! How funny! Typical!) :)

Sharon-Cuz', it does if it can be received. He sort of seems like he's doing better. But, it might be an illusion, bc now he drives and such (so he's not home as much). Lots of stuff going on in him & his family & it's really very tragic. And at times a little scary, not so much lately though. Maybe reason to hope...

Hey, Cecily, Thanks! Did you see the Way to Go Gracie! post? I thought of you for some reason when I did that...I hope your Valentine's was off the chain!

Bunny Girl! You're too sweet! We DID have a good one! Thank you! I hope you all did as well!

Carole! You are too funny! I would quit, but, I'm so busy tripping over my OWN, that I can't seem to help myself! :)

Hi, Karen! You're VERY kind! I have to admit, precious is not something I get called a lot. Would it be weird if I print this out and frame it! It might not happen again for a long time! Thanks! You made my day! ;)

That's right, Regina! I've been telling myself lately that love is the greatest weapon in the tool chest!

Quance, you're right. Our neighbors across the street and next door to him have actually done that. Truly he does seem to have grown bored with this though. It's been better for quite a while. But, should I detect grubby paws on my mail again, we may have to do that. I sure hope not though!

Hi, Nicki! Thanks very much!

Happy Friday, everybody!
Maria

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What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!