Rdays Network

Something to ponder. We ask God for things all the time, usually for what we want, but sometimes He gives us what we need but we may not recognize it as what we need. Consider the message in this posting an decide how it applies to you today.

I received this message from a friend and I enjoyed it so much, I wanted to share it with you as well. The message is true and very special to me. Please ponder on the message and pass it on if you want. I will give you the code so you can send it to your friends.

May God Bless you this way as well. Look for the thorns and see what God gives you.

This is the season to be thinking about people who need our help.

As you are out there buying gifts for your children this Christmas and spoiling them (up to the point that they are not even grateful for what they have, let alone what they will get), think about those who do not have anything for Christmas this year.  Perhaps you can find it in your heart to do something for them as well and spend a little less on your children this year.

For example, one  year my grandchildren each picked out a gift of theirs from under the tree, not knowing what it was, and gave it to a needy family in the church.  The kids said they never missed the gift and it felt really good to give their gifts to someone who didn’t have gifts.

Another family I know did something like what my grandchildren did as well, and they said it made them feel good being able to do something for someone instead of spending money on themselves.

It is refreshing to know that people are doing deeds of kindness like these. When they give up their own rewards for someone else to receive something, they report having good experiences. Doing something for someone else gives us feelings that we do not receive from any other means. My brother Terrance calls this feeding the “Love Bank”.

The “Love Bank” is a place inside of use that is filled when we do a kind deed for someone or someone does a kind deed for us. This is not the same thing as “Pay It Forward” (from the movie by the same name) because this is not an obligation to do something for someone else. When a deed is done for someone or by someone, both the giver and the receiver receive a benefit or in other words, a deposit, into their love account.

At some point in our lives, such as when our spirits are low or we feel alone and unloved, we can draw from our “Love Account” and feel better. In contrast, if we do not have kind deeds done to us or by us, there is nothing there to draw from when we need it. There is nothing more sad than to leave this world empty and alone.

One of the reasons I joined social networks is to get out of myself and start interacting with people.  Getting to know them and giving love and support to them made me softer and kinder. I feel better about myself and my life. Tell us your stories and experiences.  We would love to hear of them.