In action
I am always humbled when love shows up in unexpected ways. I have been miserable lately feeling the effects of Chemo #5 and on top of that, I came down with the flu, no doubt due to low neutrophils, my immune system being compromised and I hurt everywhere. I basically stayed in bed for the first couple of days then slowly started recovering on day 5.
My husband took care of me in many various ways. He would get me a small glass of OJ to chase down Tylenol and DayQuil. He cleaned my floors for me. He washed the dishes. He picked up my popsicle sticks and carried it to the trash. He let me sleep for long stretches when I had no energy to give. He asked if I needed anything, always checking on me.
I also think about my family and friends. They allowed me to voice my worry and fret about my disease progression, always being supportive. I have a friend who more than once drove me to Las Cruces, a 1 1/2 hour trip, wait for 5 hours while I’m receiving chemotherapy, and drive me home. Friends that I text or email every day for encouragement and lighthearted texts. I think about my Church lifting me up in prayer, and my family placing me on their Church prayer lists.
I feel so blessed and thankful knowing God is showing His love for me through people and their actions of love.
It doesn’t always have to be a big deal to show love to someone. It can be the small things you do for others to let someone know they matter. That’s when love shows up again.
Lord, I pray to show my love for others through acts of kindness and encouragement.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 ESV