What does Love look like Today?

“Welcome home mom!” my children chanted as I walked into the house, aided by my husband and sister. Pain inside and outside my body debilitated me and made breathing hard.

The days following my heart surgery were indescribably tough. However, something happened when I walked through the front door.

I found myself in a flower shop, lined with bouquets of red and white roses, yellow and pink daisies, white lilies, red tulips and a pink orchid.

“Get well soon” balloons hovered over us as caring visitors.

A shower of love and gratitude invaded my body in a way I never expected.

Several years ago, I heard missionary Heidi Baker say, “Love looks like something every day.”

That day I decided to ask myself that question every morning, as an expression of gratitude and obedience to the Lord.

As a mom and wife, it’s very easy to love my children and husband, but how about others?

Thankfully, God has given me the opportunity to love others through prayer, encouraging words, phone calls, donations, meals, visits, prayer, hospitality- and more.

This past month, however, I found myself on the receiving end of love.

My husband and children showered me with love and attention.

My sister travelled from out of the country to tend to me, cook and clean.

Some of my friends cooked meals and kept me company, while another baked cookies and mailed them from another state.

Additionally, I got tons of cards, phone calls and messages filled with prayers and words of encouragement.

And then, there is Jesus…

He protected me and showered me with His peace and strength throughout the whole process.

This is the same Jesus Who gave His own life, willingly, for me and you.

He, who knew no sin, took upon Himself the punishment that we deserved so that we could be free to live an abundant life on earth and an eternal life in heaven.

We don’t deserve it, but He doesn’t care.

It’s His gift of love to us, regardless of what we say or do. All we have to do is open the door of our heart and receive it.

Behold, I stand at the door, and continually knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,

I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with me. Rev. 3:20(AMP)

As we celebrate the month of love, I want to thank each one of you who showered me with love in so many ways.

I will always be grateful.

I invite you to accept the challenge and ask:

“What does love look like today?”

You may be surprised that the answer is not too far away.

“The success of love is in the loving-It is not on the result of loving…whether or not it turns out that way or not does not determine the value of what we have done”- Mother Teresa