|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "The Strife Is O'er"1
(Lyrics) |
One of my happy places is my favourite coffee shop. The baristas there know not only my name, but also my regular order: a twelve-ounce, half-sweet, cardamom latte in a mug. I love to have my latte in a mug because I can then admire and enjoy the swirling coffee art — the design in the foam that caps the delicious steaming beverage. Baristas have a fast-paced job, often serving a line of impatient customers, so I always appreciate the added touch of care evidenced by the time and attention needed to create the coffee art design. It's even better when they pair their coffee art with the season — a leaf shape in autumn, a Christmas tree in December, a blossom in spring, and so on. It never fails to bring a smile when I say "thank you" to my harried barista.
Noting and appreciating small gestures of thoughtfulness and kindness is a small thing that helps lubricate the rough edges of life. It costs nothing and reaps a worthwhile reward.
Interestingly, the flip side of this, namely, not complaining about small irritants, is an equally powerful lubricant to help things run more smoothly.
Here is an example from my own daily life. I live in a 55+ condo community — which often brings tests of patience under the best of conditions. Mealtime here seems to bring out the worst in people as they murmur and complain about every meal — even though we know that it is impossible to please all of the people all of the time.
Community living such as ours brings with it other challenges. The age range of our residents automatically puts our facility into the high-risk category for COVID-19. We had three or four COVID cases here this summer, which resulted in the return of onerous restrictions. The aftermath was a flood of complaints, none of which improved or changed the situation, of course. Recognizing that one complaint often triggers another, whether in the dining room or in talking to a neighbour, I often try to help counterbalance the flow by expressing appreciation for something instead.
A kind, gentle word helps to sweeten life that could otherwise be marred by grumbling and mumbling. More appreciation for small favours and pleasures paired with more grace and tolerance for small irritants are two ways to show love for others.
James 2:8 – Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (NLT)
To think about: How can we turn a grumbling frown into an appreciative smile, thus brightening everyone's day?
Prayer: Dear Father, it is so easy to focus on our own needs and desires rather than considering good for others around us. Give us eyes to see opportunities for speaking a word of encouragement or showing grace to someone else, thus enlarging our own heart of compassion. May we show to others the love that You show to us. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share on Facebook
About the author:
Gail Lundquist <gail10833@gmail.com>
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Send your feedback to the author
Amen Gail.
Good advice, Gail.
We need each other and there are many ways to show appreciation, understanding.
Great accompaniment to this message is the Hymn “The Strife is O’er” – Peace in the Lord.
Thank you, Gail, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today.
Blessings.
Lovely devotional. Thank you. We all need to remember to not jump on the complainer’s bandwagon. it’s overcrowded most days anyway.
Gail,
It’s a good message. All I can add is, AMEN!
(Ontario, Canada)
Your encouraging writing reminded me of some words of Cardinal John Henry Newman, which I heard recently.
Thanks, Gail! Your Daily Devotionals resonate with me!
(BC)
Your good and simple examples of how to show care and appreciation are good reminders to look around and notice these small things and express appreciation for them. You encourage me to also be the one who does small things to show care. Thank you!
Thanks, Gail. I, too, live in 55+ plus communities — one in the winter and another in the summer — so I’m familiar with your “tests of patience,” particularly as one of them was recently purchased by a major corporation and there have been many issues. Kind, gentle words are just what is needed around here! I need to be sure I’m doing my part.
Hi Gail,
What a positive devotional to encourage us to ask “God to give us eyes to see opportunities”. It is always good to look for the good and concentrate on that.
Thanks for sharing and I hope you find lots of opportunities which will benefit both of you. Blessings.
Hi Gail,
An awesome Devotional today, it reminds me to always try and be positive and always remember to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Keep the Devotionals coming. I always look forward to them.
Thanks again
Blessings to you.
(Ont Canada)
Thank you, Gail, for another of your very interesting and positive writings. So true how much better it is to say words of encouragement or gratitude to someone rather than rebuking them. Good words result in appreciation both for the receiver and the giver as it gives us comfort knowing we have made someone else feel good. That coffee you described sounds very delectable and something I’ll have to try. Blessings for your special writings and enjoy a wonderful weekend.
Good Morning Gail,
You take your readers on a visual journey. I could almost smell the aroma of your latte and hear the voices of the discontented.
Thank you for this lovely reminder to look for the good in each other. See them through Christ’s eyes.
Keep Writing Gail.
Thank you for reminding us to be an encouragement!
Blessings.
Dear Gail,
I have enjoyed the re-reading of your devotional as much as I did the first time. It is easy to identify with both sides of our life circumstances as you have described them – they are part of our daily lives. So thank you for your gentle reminder and encouragement to be light and a reflection of Jesus’ love wherever we are and whatever we’re doing.
Blessings,
(BC)