HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE
YOU? Some of you might remember that
phrase from an old song. But in all
actuality, we should not have to ask that question of those we love! We should tell them that we love them so
frequently, that we will distinctly remember the last time we spoke those
words. And of course, they will, as
well! With Mother’s Day here, love will
be flowing through commercials in every form of media, appealing to the emotions
of those who genuinely love their moms and want to express that love – and to
those who will make purchases out of guilt, because they are the first to
acknowledge it’s been way too long since they voiced the words, “I love you,
mom!” If these words had been spoken
generationally in more frequent measure over these past fifty years, our nation
would be much healthier – mentally and emotionally. We would not have as many lonely moms who are
now elderly, because their children would be more honoring and add value and
esteem to their lives by the words we speak to them. And they would not be words alone, but those
words would take on form in the attention, help, and devotion we gift them
with. There would not be as many
children, either adult or young people, messed up because they could not seem
to rise above the words spoken to them that had them believing that they were
without worth. Or by the unspoken words
they had longed to hear all their lives.
Just once, they would have loved to hear their mom say to them, “I love
you!” Period. Love breeds worth. And worth equates into healthy, productive,
contented living. Do you see the amazing
relativity of speaking love and worth into the lives of others? And it should not happen just once a year on “Mother’s
Day” – because the words will sound foreign to us they are spoken, and not as
believable as they should to the ears of our moms! God
knew how we would look without love. He
knew how empty we would be. He
understood the value of genuine love and what it can do – for He created the
ability within us to be capable of giving love and receiving it. His love is the perfect example, and allows
each of us to love like He teaches us to.
If we attempt to follow the example of earthly individuals, our love
will be flawed – because none of us can truly love as fully or perfectly or
sacrificially as our God does. His love
cannot be measured … ours can. He always
and forever loves unconditionally and purely.
We do not. Yet, in spite of our
humanity, God teaches us and shows us how to love! God-like love can pour out of us onto others,
lavishing them with the love they’ve only always wished for – but never
experienced. It’s like squeezing water
onto a dry sponge. Love that oozes into
the lives of others whose hopes and dreams have dried up – begins to expand
into that person’s life and suddenly the forlorn feelings blossom into belief
levels that they never knew they had within!
A transformation, a metamorphosis takes place – and a beautiful,
confident human being emerges! Today, I
thank God for a mom who loved me … who at age 89 still loves me! That’s why I was SO sad when extreme winter
storms kept me from getting to her to celebrate her birthday with her in
person. Soon, I will! Today I thank God for my husband’s mom who
loved me enough to accept me as her son’s wife – and as her own daughter. Every day I feel loved and prayed for by
these two moms, and whenever I talk with them, I always want them to hear, “I
love you, mom” … because I mean it! Is
any mother/daughter relationship 100% perfect?
Of course not! But it’s perfect
enough to carry us through our earthly days into eternity – where we will
finally be able to love with love that exudes perfection to the umpteenth
degree! And while yet on earth, one of
my greatest joys is the knowledge that our sons and their families know that I
love them more than I could ever express … and they hear over and over, “I love
you, I love you, I love you!” And in
reply, some of the sweetest words I’ve ever heard, are, “I love you, mom!” So if you are someone who is not prone to
expressing your love, how about beginning now?
It is never too late to start – God will fill you with an abundance that
flows right from His heart and spills out onto those you love so much. They just need to hear it!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
A SPECIAL
WELCOME to Leslie, Sergio, and Han, who worshipped with us this past
Sunday! May God bless each one of you!
SUN, MAY 12TH: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP
10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE
CHURCH
WED, MAY 15th:
3:00 P.M. – RE:FUEL YOUTH w/Pastor D
7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDIES (Wed/Thu)
FRI, MAY 17TH:
7:00 P.M. – LADIES NIGHT OUT/Christian Comedy!
SAT, MAY 18TH: MEN’S EVENT POSTPONED!
ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!
Most of you will agree that it's been too long since we have had one of our great church family luncheons! So we have added one to the calendar for next Sunday, May 19th, following the worship service! Plan to bring one or two of your favorite food dishes to share with everyone - and be sure to add your name to the sign-up sheet so we know what you are bringing! We will provide the table service, so just bring your food to share, your appetite, and plan to stay and enjoy!
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
