Snowflakes and Heart Attitudes

Snowflakes and Heart Attitudes

For the first time in years, I pulled up a pair of snow pants and put on my thick ski gloves.  I turned on my iPod to my favorite worship cd and headed out into the snow.  Snowflakes were still falling at a rapid pace, seeming ignorant of the 7 inches already blanketing the yard.  I paused to smile and take a deep breath of the winter air and to notice the snowflake on the sleeve of my coat.  There was not even a need for a magnifying glass to see the details today.  Finally, a snow storm with  perfect crystals!  I had been waiting all year for this.  How lucky to get a chance to enjoy it!  Snow day, no cookies, and time to spend in my “Acts of Service” love activity.

                  Originally, I was going to make a plate of cookies and surprise an elderly neighbor with the treats and a visit.  However, my plans were spontaneously changed when a snow storm hit on Friday, covering my little work in a fabulous shade of white.  I LOVE the snow.  Instead, I decided to shovel my parent’s driveway for them.  Now, this is totally out of my character.  In fact, I can’t remember the last time my hands held a shovel.  My idea of helping out with snow clearing is yelling out the bay window supportive phrases and preparing a cup of hot chocolate for the poor sap working in the cold.  Goooooo team! 

                  7 inches of snow and still falling, there I was shoveling away singing worship songs (just to remind me of who I was really serving while working).  I had finally cleared all of the snow away from the patio and was halfway through the driveway when I looked back towards the house.  The snow was falling enough to have a light sheet of white over the patio again!  Instead of growling at the snow that was covering the work I already completed, a beautiful thought hit me: isn’t this iconic of what Acts of Service entails?  Acts of Service is putting in the time, effort, and sweat with a heart attitude of love, regardless of what is recognized.  We serve God. 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..”  Colossians 3:23

Month	February	March	March	March	March
Week Starting	25	4th	11th	18th	25th
Love Language being used	Quality Time	Words of Affirmation	Gifts	Physical Touch	Acts of Service
How?	Pray/talk to God three times a day.	To be  announced!	To be announced!	To be  announced!	To be announced!

Reaching Out

Reaching Out

            How do you touch God?  I think it would be so amazing to physically hold Jesus’ hand or give Him a hug.  How lucky are the people in the Bible that had the opportunity to touch the Maker of the universe? 

            This week was a tricky task!  Ahaha, a welcome chance for a challenge.  I want to thank my two amazing girlfriends that offered creative ideas for this week!  I want to try out both of their ideas (I think you will be impressed).  Lucky for me, this project stretches out until around Easter time, so I will be able to give both ideas a go. 

            My beautiful and incredible friend Sarah offered an idea that I was excited to give a try.  She mentioned that when she dances for God, she feels very physically close to Him (perhaps she can elaborate more for us! Wink wink nudge nudge).  I decided to give this a try. 

During worship time this week, I started to dance before God.  An unexpected twist of events occurred though…  I felt still.  My body slowed in His heavy presence and I just stood with my hands toward heaven.  Still.  Quiet.  His presence is so amazing.  Words really don’t do bring accurate description to the awe of being encompassed in His love and saturated in His grace.  In amongst the power of His presence, I felt unexpectedly exposed.  It was such a humbling experience.  Perhaps God is the one who touches us… maybe it is when we reach out to Him, He sees our heart effort and meets us for a moment of complete surrender and closeness.   

Month	January	January	February	February	February
Week Starting	21st	28th	4th	11th	18th
Love Language being used	Quality Time	Words of Affirmation	Gifts	Physical Touch	Acts of Service
How?	Spend half an hour this week alone in “praise and worship” time.	Write God a "love letter."	Give a monetary gift offering above my tithe.	Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!	Make cookies.

Love Offering

Love Offering

            I believe in giving 10% of my income to God.  For some, this concept is quite familiar.  For those not familiar with this idea, giving 10% back to God is called a tithe.  (Malachi 3:8-12; Proverbs 3:9-10)  I like to think of tithing as my way of saying “thank you” to God for a job, a wonderful life, and blessings abounding (presently and in the future).  Tithing has been a part of my life since I was a child.  To be completely truthful, I really do love to tithe.  I get so excited around tax season, because I get to see how much I sowed into my church!  It is exciting to think of how the money is impacting others!  It is a blessing to be a blessing.  For this week’s love language, I gave an additional offering to God.

            Although this may seem like it was not effortful, allow me to explain.  My new job is actually an internship.  A 7-month, unpaid internship.  I love it; however, as you can imagine, it does cause some financial concern.  Giving an additional gift to the Lord was a stretch.  I wanted this offering to be special, not just something that I can check off of my list.  What I did not want this event to look like was to see the offering bucket get passed by, I slip in a check and think to myself, “There we go!  All done!  Thanks, God!”  I wanted this to be meaningful and loving.

            I took some time to pray before ever going to church.  I spent time really thinking about what the money could do.  I thought about the money helping with missions work, adding to our new church building fund, assisting in outreach events to bring people to the Lord.  It was so moving to ponder!  Then my logical side kicked into gear…I thought about all of the things my  love offering could do and then thought about the monetary amount.  No way could this amount do all of that!  Impossible!

            With the gentlest voice, the Lord reminded me of the story in Mark 6:30-44 where Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish and multiplied them to feed a large crowd.  “I can do this with your offering.”  Wow, how could I ever have doubted the majesty and greatness that God can do with so little.  He gives us love, we love Him back, and He uses us to love and help others. 

What an amazing and perfectly loving plan.

Month	January	January	February	February	February
Week Starting	21st	28th	4th	11th	18th
Love Language being used	Quality Time	Words of Affirmation	Gifts	Physical Touch	Acts of Service
How?	Spend half an hour this week alone in “praise and worship” time.	Write God a "love letter."	Give a monetary gift offering above my tithe.	Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!	*To be announced!