I have recently become extremely aware of the laws of God and how powerful they are and the benefits of obeying them. Whenever I see the situations that people get themselves into or the hardships or unpleasantries that people are experiencing I wish they understood God’s laws. They are very simple to follow but reap extraordinary benefits.
Unfortunately, in the world today we are being taught the opposite. That’s the problem today we aren’t taking advantage of His laws. It’s like fighting against His law of gravity. When we do that we get unpredictable results but when we follow it or use it to our advantage we reap the benefits.
This afternoon I was thinking of my Dad when I remembered a special time we used to spend together. My father worked very hard and very long hours. The only time we saw him was at dinnertime then he would return to work often coming home after us children went to bed. But there were occasions when he came home early. My brothers would gang up on him to join them in the backyard for some game of sports: baseball, basketball or tossing a football. However, there were the rare occasions when he was extremely tired after a rough day and just wanted to relax. Those were my special times.
He would sit on the couch just to catch his breath and unwind from the day before getting the strength to go outside to be with his children. When I was small I would crawl up on the couch and cuddle next to him neither one of us saying a word. Then I would get down and run into the kitchen to get him something cold to drink from the refrigerator if my Mom hadn’t brought him something then carefully without spilling take it to him. I’m sure whatever I brought him might not have been exactly what he wanted to drink that night but it didn’t matter since it came with love from his daughter.
Then I would run back to the kitchen to ask permission from my mother to go into their closet to get my Dad’s slippers. Us children were not allowed in our parent’s bedroom or allowed to disturb them if they were in there unless the house was on fire so it was a big deal being allowed access if only to get his slippers. I felt honored to be allowed to enter ‘the forbidden room’.
Then I would return to the living room taking off my Dad’s shoes, rub his feet and place a slipper on each foot. Then back on the couch next to him. He had such a huge smile each time I did this. Then he would put his arm around me with a little hug. “I love you Daddy.” I would tell him. “I love you too Anne,” he would reply. Then we just sat there enjoying each other’s company without saying a word.
Thinking of it reminded me of Jesus washing His disciple’s feet. Not that I am Jesus or anything, but I was serving my father those nights in appreciation for everything he did for us. I didn’t ask for anything in return other than his love.
Our heavenly Father is the same. He doesn’t ask for much from us other than for us to love Him. We can do this by serving His children on earth with love and kindness and spend some quiet time with Him thanking Him for the many blessings He grants us each day. It takes so little effort to please our Father in heaven but the rewards are amazing when we do.
By offering kindness and love to others we often receive it back when we least expect it touching our hearts. Isn’t that what life is really all about? I believe that is what each one of us ultimately desires out of life; to be loved and to be shown some respect and kindness. When we fail to do this on a regular basis the world goes awry. People become frustrated, angry, and resentful. It is the result of us not showing respect to others or to God. We get what we give out. It’s just a simple rule of God.
When we don’t appreciate our jobs, our co-workers, our customers, then we hate our jobs and our jobs are not kind to us. But when we are grateful for each of these then our jobs become rewarding and satisfying.
The same applies to anything in life. From the store clerks that frustrate us, to our siblings or parents. It’s simply that we don’t appreciate them that we feel the way we do. They are just human’s trying to get through this life the best way they know how to. When we show them respect and appreciation they return the gesture to us. If they don’t then God will find someone instead to return the favor.
If you aren’t satisfied with an area of your life, try showing a little kindness, appreciation and love for someone other than yourself on a regular basis. You will be surprised how your world will change for the better.
