COMPASSION FOR HAITI

If ever we must get out of ourselves and respond to a need, it is now with the horrific disaster in Haiti. Here’s our chance to set aside self-inspection, self-promotion and self-protection and see the much greater needs in this world. We do not yet know the number of lost lives, but we do know it will be staggering. We also know this small nation was already among the very poorest in the world and now has lost what little stability it had.
Water and food supply lines are cut. Bridges have crumbled. Hospitals, what is left of them, cannot begin to service the multitude of wounded. Roads have become rubble. Survivors sleep outside. Fear and bewilderment reign. The result, unless we get to serious prayer and support, will be starvation and desperation. This is the time to shelve our personal interests and give extravagantly to those homeless, helpless people in Haiti. “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” (James 2:18)

LOVEABLENESS: Honesty

Being loveable is not all about making yourself into a star or having a bubbly personality, or possessing the ability to speak well. Some time ago a handsome, well-spoken guy approached me about his marriage problems. He seemed sincere and could explain well the difficulties in the relationship he had with this wife. The wife was domineering. She had no clue about money management. She made up situations to hide her gambling problem. She brought huge debts into the marriage, which she had not mentioned before the wedding. And she gave him no privacy at all. Now he found himself saddled with an intolerable life commitment. I liked him and felt sorry for him.
Until I got the rest of the story. He had had an affair. He kept important information about his lies, manipulation and personal lifestyle from me. I could not trust him because he had been dishonest. He was a deceiver. Being honest and reliable still outranks all other outward qualities when it comes to relationships. Integrity should be high on our list of priorities in 2010.

LOVE IS LINKED TO HOPE

I don't know about your faith status, but finding an anchor for love, (both getting and giving it) is really important. Love always hopes because our love is anchored in Almighty God and draws on His resources. With His love coursing through our being, we are able to see as an airplane pilot sees, far beyond the horizon. His love sees the possible in what looks impossible at first. Our hope and expectations has no limits because His love has no limits. We suddenly can see potential when futility had begun to build its nest. With love as a driving force of life, our hope knows there is no end to all the wonderful and precious parts of life. Love breeds hopes because love redeems and restores in all circumstances. Love even overcomes death, man’s ultimate fear. Love overcomes sickness. Since God is love, God always hopes you will continually be His child and His witness to the world through acts of love.

LOVABLENESS: Giving

As a child I dreaded Christmas because I was sure I would be disappointed. Don’t get me wrong. My parents were loving. My sisters and brother were happy at Christmas. A buoyant spirit filled our house on Christmas mornings. I was sure beforehand, though, that I would not get the things that would make me happy. Looking back I see how hard my parents tried to please all of us. The problem was me. I became my own focus and others did not matter. Those were the worst of my Christmases.
My Christmases got more interesting and exciting as I learned the meaning of the words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The more I spent time thinking about how I could give something or do something for others at Christmas, the more exciting Christmas became. There’s a deep satisfaction in seeing others’ eyes light up at Christmas. And think about what others think of us when we give to them. Giving is a superb way to become more loveable.

LOVE HEALS

Maybe you feel so starved for love, this post seems unsuitable for you. Try this, this Christmas season. Be the one who on purpose shows kindness and love. It will heal you, too.
I cannot think of anything more peace-filling, more soothing, more contentment -inducing than to receive love. To be reassured of someone’s love, is like having a fresh shower after a lengthy dry period that drains the earth of all moisture. Receiving love is the most profound encounter with which God blesses us. Ah, it is like being wrapped in a soft blanket of God’s loving energy. Love impacts our mental and physical well-being. Without exaggeration, we can declare that it is essential for our survival. Indeed, it mysteriously touches our emotions, but it also affects our body. Notice how much better you feel physically and how your mood improves when you receive a hug or affection, or when you have expressed your love to someone or participate in an act of love?
Loving and being loved actually improves our level of health.

Talk to you soon.

THE POWER OF LOVE

I hope you find the following story inspiring.
At long last Trev enjoyed a friendship. As a child he walked home alone after school. As a teen he sat by himself in the lunchroom. As a young man he ate popcorn by himself at the movie house. Trev often wept over his drab, solitary life. He often complained to his parents. In frustration, he lashed out at those his age for not including him in their parties and backyard games. Even at church he felt like an alien. His life became almost unbearable.
Then Brock moved into his condo, one floor up. They met for the first time as they picked up their mail at the entrance after work. Brock invited Trev up to help him assemble a new entertainment center. He was cheerful the whole time. The next week Brock asked Trev to join him in his tri-weekly jog. As Brock got to know Trev, he began to compliment him on his well-kept condo unit and his exceptional collection of cartoon characters. Trev enjoyed Brock's encouragement but suspected that Brock was building up to some big demand. Not a hint. Ever.
Trev's life began to blossom. He arrived at work with a smile and people warmed up to him. He felt free to talk to the girl at the drug store counter. He was surprised when she accepted an invitation to have dinner with him. On the street, Trev occasionally stopped to talk to speak with some of the homeless people.
Love transforms the people to whom we show love. It tansform us.

LOVEABILITY: Empathy

Empathy: Here's another way you can endear yourself to others. Who hasn’t shed a tear during a movie when characters are reunited after a long, painful separation or when a child is violently treated? That is the internal tug we call empathy. It is such identification that moves us to reach out with warmth to help someone in need. The idea is to feel with the other person in her pain. It does not require you to have long speeches ready for the hurting person. It takes just staying by and with this person. A German proverb says, “A shared joy is doubled and a shared sorrow is halved.”
Empathy also stirs an exuberant celebration of someone’s triumph or success.Doing so affirms her personal worth. Understanding another person and being there for her, goes a long way to building deep friendship and out of that relationship you will experience love. When a fellow soldier sits with and weeps with a dying comrade. that is empathy, and empathy is love. When Jesus wept with Lazarus’s sisters over his death, that was empathy, and that was love.
Look for opportuinities to empathize with hurting people. Just a brief caution: don't over do it.