Small Kindnesses by Lorrie Orr

 

"I have found that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." J. R. R. Tolkien

This month's prompt: What small deeds of kindness have you witnessed or experienced? How did they make you feel? In a world that is often unkind, small kindnesses can mean much. Write about a kindness you have been shown or have shown to someone else.

In 2009 my husband unexpectedly lost his job in a rather brutal fashion. After 10 months he found another, and we were thankful, though still hurting. His new job meant moving a couple of hours away. We struggled to fit into our new, smaller community. Finding a church home was difficult. I began attending a woman's Bible study, and we tried to find a small group knowing that we ourselves needed to reach out if we were to find community. People were neither welcoming nor kind. Our hearts ached for what we had lost and were now unable to find. As the months wore on, and I ached for warmth and connection, walls of cold stone piled around my heart.  

One evening, while strolling through our neighbourhood, we met a realtor setting up an open house. In chatting, we discovered that he had attended the same church for awhile and found the same lack of connection. He invited us to another church, one that we would have never before considered. 

That Sunday the pastor opened her sermon with "God is the kindest person you will ever meet." Tears rained down my face at her words. They were balm to my hard and wounded heart. I felt the cold stone of my heart softening. The simple truth of God's kindness was shown in fellow congregants inviting us to share coffee or a meal. Slowly the ice around my heart melted as I considered God's kindness demonstrated by this small group of kind people. 

I am thankful that God shows kindness to me despite my many faults. In Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) we are urged to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." God's kindness is shown in myriad ways. Forgiveness certainly. When I hurt he lavishes his love on me and calls me his child; when I doubt he walks with me through the questions, never pausing his kindness. When I mourn he comforts me with his presence. Because of God's kindness to me, I am filled with his Spirit that helps me to show kindness to others. 

Have you ever noticed how being kind to someone who might be belligerent or angry can catch them off guard? Showing kindness rather than retaliation often diffuses a situation, enabling a reasonable discourse to take place. Kindness softens and tenders hard hearts. 

Kindness is not a small thing. Being kind can require much grace and God's strength. Proverbs 21:21 tells us that being kind benefits not only the receiver, but the giver: "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor." Kindness stands out as a shining beacon in a world that is judgmental, polarizing, and harsh. 

Lorrie Orr writes from Vancouver Island where Spring has suddenly sprung, displaying the kindness and goodness of God in nature. 

 

Life in the Vine ~ Valerie Ronald

                                                                                                               image by Pixabay

The intense aroma of boiling grape juice filled my kitchen as I crushed more grapes to make jelly. The clusters of deep purple grapes were abundant, considering how vigorously my husband pruned the vines growing along the back of our garage in the fall. When he was done, only the main trunk and a few branches were left. It was hard to imagine grapes growing next season after such severe pruning, yet the boxes full of fruit on my kitchen floor were proof of its effectiveness. Proper pruning helped the grape vine branches grow back to bear even more grapes than the previous year.

In John 15, Jesus used the picture of the vine and the branches to illustrate the importance of His disciples staying in close communion with Him in order to bear fruit for His kingdom. The fruit they were to produce is that of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal.5:22-23 NIV). He also made it clear that trials the disciples faced were meant to refine or prune them so they would be more fruitful.

I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. (John 15:1-4)

He used the metaphor as a picture of His presence and energy still being available to them even after He was gone. His living Spirit would continue to nourish and sustain them just as the roots and trunk of a grape vine produce the energy that nourishes and sustains its branches while they develop their fruit. Their part was to continue to abide, remain, stay connected to˗˗Jesus, their source of life-giving power, so they could bear fruit, or positive spiritual service for His kingdom.

In meditating on this familiar passage as it applies to a writer’s life, I don’t need to think too hard to recall times when my abiding has been weak and my fruit-bearing almost non-existent. As much as I enjoy writing, life has a way of robbing me of writing time and energy. Family situations, health issues, or church obligations can easily take over if I let them. Sometimes I find it challenging to maintain a consistent, intimate connection with Christ so His Spirit can flow through me as I write. Author and pastor, John Piper, says the essential meaning of our active abiding is the act of receiving and trusting all that God gives us in Christ, so it flows like a life-giving sap into our lives.  

When I am not abiding as I should, then I need to open the channels of my spirit so what Jesus offers can flow freely. He is specific in what He provides.   

 “His words ˗ "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) 

In order for me to bear fruit through my writing, I need to feed on the Word. The Bible is not just a book of sacred stories and sayings, it is a living book, the inspired words of God that He provided so I can know Him, His plans and His purposes. By spending time in it, I abide in Him and His words abide in me. In turn, His words nourish my words so what I write reflects who He is. 

His love - “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love.” (John 15:9)  

My ultimate purpose as a writer seeking to abide in Him is to communicate His love to my readers. Out of the many reasons I write ˗˗ to entertain, to teach, to inspire ˗˗ conveying the love of Jesus is the most important. When I abide in Him, then the fruit borne of my writing is supernaturally imbued with His love.                                                                                                                          

His joy - “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)

Jesus delights in sharing His joy. This is not just any joy, it is the life-giving joy of Christ flowing through us like sparkling water energizing our creativity so others will be drawn to what we write. When I write, I feel His joy full and free, giving me a sense of His pleasure in His beloved child using her gift.  

Jesus is explicit in His statement that we cannot bear fruit alone. “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” (John 15:4) Nothing of lasting value for His kingdom can be accomplished by us unless we are firmly abiding in Him. He is the vine, flowing His lifeblood through us so that we bear fruit which is actually His. We cannot do so without Him. If we are trying to express spiritual truths as a writer, our words will be empty, no matter how well-written, if we have not first received Jesus Christ into our soul as our Savior. He is not only the source of our salvation, He provides what we need for a fruitful life. Once we have received Him, close communion with Him is essential so His life flows to its full extent into ours.

Our source of life and spiritual fruit is not in ourselves; it is outside us, in Christ Jesus. When our writing bears fruit in the lives of our readers, then it can only be as a result of our abiding in Him. 

                                               

Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk.

How She Loved – Denise M. Ford

While contemplating this month’s topic, creating beauty with words, it occurred to me that writing a eulogy presents a time to write beautiful images of a loved one. I recalled my recent conversation with my 88-year-old mother. She had described the memorial service for my Aunt Dolly. Both of them widows following decades of marriage, they had been daily confidantes sharing emotional heartaches and happy celebrations.

Mother lamented that no one spoke of Dolly’s genuine compassion, or constant devotion to every member of her family, immediate and extended.

“Everyone who spoke gave anecdotes of comical moments about how she joked and laughed with people,” my mother said. 

“What did you want to hear?” I asked.

“How she loved,” she simply replied.

My mother lives in Pennsylvania, while I reside in the foothills outside of Calgary, Alberta. We spend a few weeks together throughout each year via cross-country journeys, but mostly we visit daily through our phone calls. Often, I jot down questions or prompts I will use to steer our chats into more meaningful conversations.  While she reminisces, I scribble notes so I can capture her memories. 

I have been applauding myself for wisely using these phone calls to help record our family history.  Now I realize I have been merely collecting anecdotes.

While I still want to write down the details in her stories, what if I also focused on her and how she loved?

What if I told her now, while she still lives, how I would write of her after she passes?

Certainly, I have sent cards and letters to her over the years expressing my gratitude, my respect and my appreciation of her as my mother. But would she want to understand more fully how I perceive her love, how I understand how deeply she loved? I don’t want you to think that I have had an ideal upbringing.  All of us, especially daughters, have a multi-layered, multi-winding, emotional relationship with our mothers. Even so, can I begin to express to her while she is still here with me, that I know… how she loved.

Can I write those beautiful words for her now as a living tribute?

Because my mother has tried to live her life by the fruit of the Spirit, I will follow Galatians 5:22-23 as my outline for describing how she loved.  One of my pastors pointed out that perhaps this scripture denotes the fruit of the Spirit, as love. Everything that follows basically describes what love is or what it can be.

It will become my challenge to speak of my mother’s love within this fruit of the Spirit outline.  At the same time, I will inquire of myself, “How do I love? What do others see today: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control?”  Because I will be outlining my life with these attributes will others perceive how I love? Will I reflect what my mother has shown me?

I will tell her, and I will write of her. This is how you have loved, Mother. This is how you still love.  I hope my words of beauty offered for her will provide a confirmation that when I will memorialize her, I won’t only remember anecdotes but how she loved.

As I drove towards home the other day, I witnessed a spectacular sunset.  It seemed that God had traced each cloud’s edge using a brush dipped in gold glitter.  The sparkling outline shimmered with a beauty so radiant and so searing, I felt compelled to break forth with words of praise and awe. 

Hmm…I pray that I will be inspired as I use the fruit of the Spirit outline to create beautiful images that reflect back to my mother. Like that sunset, as it portrayed its light with brilliance and intensity. I pray that she will hear by those words, that I have traced her years of genuine compassion and constant devotion with a living tribute that glowingly states,

This, this is how she loved.

How to Have a (Good) Marketing Attitude by Glynis Belec

     Writing is my heart passion. Business is my reality. 

I thought about comparing my career as a writer to a love/hate relationship. But then I got thinking how easily I can psyche myself into something. I definitely don't love marketing but I don’t actually hate it, either. I prefer not to do it but I don’t hate it even though I think I hate it.

All my life I have loved writing. Then once I learned writing for the serious scribe is actually 50 percent the written page and 50 percent business, I knew I had to expand my horizons and do it with a willing heart. Otherwise (I know me) I would be prone to whining and then I would convince myself how despicable marketing is and I wouldn't do it. 

I have learned that I choose my attitude - good or bad. I have discovered that if I pick good, only good will come out of it - even if things go bad. If I pick bad it ends up bad every time. I sought to have the 'somewhere in between' attitude. It never works. It always ends up bad, too. 

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that 'hate' isn't my issue, 'not knowing how' is more like it.

Resources are good when you want to learn how to do something. I've found a great Resource that never seems to fail. It sure has changed my marketing attitude. How about I share? 

1. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.    Colossians 3:23

• remember that we are not out to please man with our brilliant marketing schemes. We are intent on glorifying God with how we go about sharing our words. I won't pay for reviews, I will earn them
• I will glean some information from all these people who tell me they know how I can sell a thousand books in one day (as long as I buy their product) but I won't fall prey to their 'get rich schemes' at all costs. 
• I will try my best to make a good, doable plan for promoting my work.

2.  Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant          than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

• I won't mock others or think I have the upper hand when it comes to making contacts 
• I am grateful that God has blessed me with a passion to write, but I will also encourage others to grow in their craft

• I will help others market their books because I know that when we help others we benefit the most. And when I help others market their books, I won't do it for selfish motives but purely because God doesn't want us to be rivals, but sisters and brothers on the same path

3.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,         

    faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Galatians 5:22-23

• It is much more fun to be nice. 
• I started a Facebook group a while ago and we now have close to 500 members. I LOVE talking to my Angels (I call them) about writing related topics. God has stirred a passion in my heart to help promote Canadian authors who write and engage readers who love to read quality work. I will admit, I started out with a little motive of building my 'tribe' and then using it as a marketing platform. It has become much more than that. God has used my wimpy idea to build some great relationships and allowed us to have some super conversations. I rarely plug my own books, but it feel so right what I am doing. 

4. Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for       you. 1 Peter 5:7

• One of the best ways - or maybe THE best way for me to sell my books is to speak
• When I first felt the nudge from God to speak I was dragged kicking and screaming, thinking what a lousy job I would do. Oh, I am a drama queen from way back and have graced the stage numerous times. The difference, though, was I always had a script - and the story was not mine to be told. I heed God's direction now and I love telling my story and sharing about so many things. God has blessed me with the gift of hope and laughter and I love to share that gift with whomever will give me the time of day. And often, blessings follow with the back of the room sales. 

5.  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count      slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that          any should perish, but that all should reach     

     repentance.                                                                                          2 Peter 3:9                                                                                                                                                           

• My brain wants to rush the process and I sometimes feel that I am not doing it right because I don't have at least 100 reviews on each book or people battering down my door begging to buy my books. 
• Then I remember my timing usually always differs from God's. He's been pretty patient with me over the years so I try to do the same. 

I could go on and on. Each day I get inspired. No, I have not turned in to Suzie Q Brilliant Marketer. I never will. But I found that once I changed my attitude and looked at marketing and promotion and everything business related from an "I can do this with God at the helm" attitude, I found it a much more pleasant task. 

Marketing isn't easy. Nor is brain surgery or waiting on unruly customers or building houses. But changing my attitude is. 

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10

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Glynis

Imperfect Perfection - Tracy Krauss

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5: 22, 23 NIV

Peace. Joy. Love. At this time of year, the fruit of the spirit is proclaimed by both Christians and the secular world alike. Unfortunately, 'peace on earth' is often more of a catch phrase than a reality. How many people are stressed out about all the added pressure of the season?  Shopping, decorating, baking, cards, concerts... The stress of the preparations can make the fruit ferment!

Beyond the preparations, the holidays themselves can bring a lot of stress. Annual family get togethers are often fraught with arguments. Unrealistic expectations can lead to a feeling of discontent once it's all over. It can be especially painful for those who have recently lost a loved one.

This year, all of my children are coming home for Christmas. I know that our time together won't be 'perfect'. We may have an argument or two. (Especially around the card table.) My gift wrapping might be sloppy. (I'm not as meticulous as my daughters.) I might even burn something. (It has been known to happen...) But the joy of being with the people I love most will outweigh all the negatives.

I would like to wish everyone who reads this blog a happy and safe Christmas season. May you find joy, peace and love in the imperfection of your friends, family and loved ones.

HACKED by Glynis M. Belec

Today, I spent the day with my daughter. It was unplanned and actually not a very nice reason for me to be at her home. But I had to be there. My grown up baby girl needed her Mom.

I'll back track a little. I was awakened this morning by the shrill ringing of the telephone. My morning voice probably gave away the secret that although it was almost 7am I was still tucked nicely 'twixt the blankets.

Once I realized who it was - a mom of one of my students - I relaxed. That was, until I heard what she had to say. Apparently, she received a heartfelt e-mail from my daughter who was supposedly in the UK and had been robbed. 'She' was asking for money and had sent an e-mail to this mom, who she knows fairly well.

I was slightly confused for a moment until I realized that my daughter was certainly not in the UK and it was her facebook account that had been compromised. She was about to discover what it meant to be hacked.

So the day happened. I got in touch with my daughter right away. She was in tears when I first talked to her. It seems this creepy individual was asking for money from whichever contact he/she could. He was almost successful a few times. I immediately went onto Facebook to see what was going on and that sad individual who was hacking my daughter's computer, had the nerve to strike up a chat with me. I couldn't believe the audacity. I played along for a while. Needless to say, I lost it in the end and revealed that the gig was up and I knew he was some sort of a hacker intent on committing a cyber crime. He disappeared when I mentioned the police. Just like that...gone.

One would have thought that I scared the pathetic person. But the day continued and so did the telephone calls to Amanda and me, checking to see if this was a legitimate request. The hacker did not scare easily and continued to try his luck. Some almost sent money to the suggested bank in the UK but decided to check first. Thank goodness that people called us before succumbing to this request. My daughter has an online, business, too and she was afraid that this numbskull was messing with her clients and all her contact information.

I ended up staying with my daughter for the day, keeping her little ones entertained as she dealt with the police and the myriad of calls that came her way. I also wanted to pray with her, to let her know that although right now she feels upset and frustrated, this will pass. This hacker thinks he has all the power. Little does he know that there is Someone mightier and He is Power and Glory forever and ever!

Technology is a wonderful tool if used wisely and done so with integrity.

As I drove home a little while ago, I contemplated what makes a person commit a crime. Why do people hurt other people? What is it about money and power that cause a person to stop at nothing?

Can't people understand what a beautiful world we would live in if we showed more love; realized the joy in the simple things; desired everlasting peace, had more patience with one another; saw kindness as the best medicine; showed goodness to our neighbour; displayed faithfulness to our family and God; treated one another with the gentleness of Jesus and showed self control in the face of temptation. Can we only imagine?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22

Sin.

"Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear," says Isaiah 59: 1-2. "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."

Christ in Me -- Janet Sketchley

I’m still trying to grasp the simplicity—but liberating power—of Christ in me, my hope of glory. The Bible promises that in Him we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

The Holy Spirit lives in me, and the Spirit is all I need for life and godliness—if I’ll let Him influence how I live.

The Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, meekness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). My natural spirit is selfish, and none of these good things.

I used to think the fruit of the Spirit were attributes God would develop in me. I’d become more patient, for example. But wouldn’t that be like expecting oranges to develop on an apple tree? I am more patient than I was, and that’s His doing, as I learn to walk His way a bit. But that’s not my natural spirit, that’s me getting used to His and letting Him shape my responses.

The Holy Spirit hasn’t been grafted onto me to grow—I’ve been grafted onto Him. So I’ll grow as I draw my strength and nourishment from Him. But the thing I come back to is this: He’s already there, invited in and received by faith, even though so rarely seen. So when there’s a stimulus, I can choose how to respond—if I’m submitted to Him and not being selfish.

Think of a standard doorway from a room. Two full-sized people can’t exit side by side; one must go first. LORD, please help me to hold back, to let Your Spirit go out first. Not only does He deserve first place, but His presence will change things in a good way.

This makes me see what Paul says to the Galatians in a different light. Galatians 3:3 says, “After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” (NIV) He’s talking about the goal of righteousness and salvation, and about them beginning with faith but now trying to hedge their bets by observing the law. But the verse also speaks to me about righteousness and godly living.

Am I trying to do it by human effort? No wonder it’s not working too well. The Spirit isn’t going to take me over and push His way out. Like Anne Graham Lotz says, God is a gentleman. He has manners. I have to choose to let Him out.

© Janet Sketchley, 2008
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For devotionals, reviews and conversation, stop by Janet Sketchley's blog, God with Us: Finding Joy.