I would like to share this guest post by Roxanne Packham, author of "Inspired Design". This article will inspire you to reach out to others in a spirit of caring, sharing and love.
Before we are inspired about
how to show love to others, we must first ask
why?
Quite simply it is because in
Romans 12:10 & 13 we are told to be devoted to one another in brotherly
love, to honor one another above ourselves. We are also told to share with
God’s people who are in need and to practice hospitality. Notice the vocabulary:
practice, not perfect.
In
America, as a culture and as individuals, we are suffering in part because
popular media gears everything to perfection. We are bombarded with messages
that if we aren’t the very best at something, we just shouldn’t bother. We
compare ourselves to others, rather than knowing our worth in God’s
eyes.
I
suffer from insecurity and wonder if I can be creative enough to inspire. Are
my tips original? Are the photographs beautiful enough? Are my suggestions too
simple for some, but too fancy for another? The problem: my thoughts revolve
completely around me. My creativity, my skills,
my ability. This is not about me but about God’s purpose for
me. I suddenly realize the bigger picture; I can’t do it, but I can through
Christ who strengthens me.
This
dance in my mind between my preciousness in His sight and the enemy’s
interjections has slowed me down at times, but God showed me this dance is the
very reason for us to love others; to encourage each other. Because we
are human we suffer from doubt, insecurity, and rejection of one sort or
another. We are God’s tool to encourage others. God uses us as His
hands to love others, but make no mistake it is His power,
His grace and the Holy Spirit that do the real work, not
ours.
God’s path of creativity in me
began with a family history of silversmithing eight generations back, a degree
from USC, design school in Paris, then design school in Los Angeles. Call them
spiritual or otherwise, but they were the gifts God saw fit to give to me. Who
am I to argue with my Creator? They are unique and I celebrate them. What are
your magnificent and unique gifts that you can use to inspire
others?
I do
not want the gifts received as a blessing from God to “turn into spiritual dry
rot,” as Ann Voscamp suggests in her book One Thousand Gifts, as the
manna did when it was hoarded in Exodus 16:20. I want to use my
blessings.
Inadequacies and all,
imperfections and all: I want to inspire others to practice Hospitality and to
LOVE others.
Creative Ways to Encourage Others on Valentine’s
Day
KIND
WORDS
A
handwritten note with quotes, scriptures and words of encouragement is a
wonderful thing to find in the mailbox.
Leave a sticky note on your
child/husband’s pillow or be bold and write your note on the bathroom mirror or
car window in red lipstick saying “I love you”.
Even
an email just to say “thank you for your hard work, you bless me” can make a
person’s day. A cute poem, scripture or old photograph will remind them they are
remembered.
If
someone has lost a loved one, kind words of some way that loved one inspired you
to do something better will let them know that their loved one’s legacy is
living on.
AN INVITATION,
TIME
Take
some time out of your days to meet someone for coffee, lunch, a long walk, or
even just leave a phone message with a sweet sentiment. If you have more time,
take a picnic basket to their home. Set up a lunch, tea or coffee, with all your
tea cups and a candle. It is a lovely surprise! Just rinse when you finish and
pack back up so they don’t even have to do dishes. They will have a lovely
memory of a special time.
THOUGHTFUL
GESTURE
Hang
flowers on the front door handle, leave a pretty tiny package in the mailbox
with a beautiful red bow, or cookies delivered to the front door. Create a
breakfast plate for your child that says you are special . This is especially
significant if your child has struggled with something
recently.
A BEAUTIFUL
DINNER
Of
course this takes more time, but try for a beautiful table setting complete with
candles, fresh greens or flowers and a lovely menu either handwritten or printed
out on your computer. Don’t
concentrate on the gourmet or complicated quality of the meal: remember it is
about relationship and encouragement!
VALENTINE’S
DINNER
A
beautiful table for Valentine’s simply consists of reds, pinks and perhaps some
purple. (Although it could be beautiful in all white too.) Of course, it has to
have some hearts and some colorful candles. Leave kind words of some sort on
each place setting. Every Valentine’s table should have its share of sparkle, of
course!
for more pictures and
Inspired Design ideas for Valentine’s Day.
Please share your thoughts in the Comment Section below.
