Love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22

This past March 2 was my birthday. Several close friends and family members made me feel loved by sending text messages, birthday cards, and gifts. Although I was still coughing and weak from the flu, it was a great day! A few days later, my sister, Alyssa gave me a birthday card which I put in my purse to read later. Alyssa and I have been talking on the phone at least once a week not only to check in as sisters sometimes do, but also to discuss our business progress. She is entering the business of designing her own fashion line, and I am expanding my speaking and writing into a business with a message of faith, hope, and love. Alyssa and I also have been working through a productivity workbook & creative business planner entitled, 2016 Your Best Year by Lisa Jacobs given to us by another sister, Tara, for Christmas. Together, Alyssa and I committed to meeting once a month for both encouragement and accountability with regards to our business plans. Chatting, sharing ideas, and being accountability partners have drawn us closer.
My purse which is actually a large tote bag carries my life in it. The birthday card got lost in this black hole until many days later when I was cleaning out old receipts and gum wrappers. Touched is what I felt when I opened the envelope and read her heartfelt hand-written words, “3 Things I Love About You:” She proceeded to list three specific qualities she admired in me. In addition, Alyssa drew a caterpillar exactly the way our grandma did when she gave us a card reminding me also of our grandma’s love for us. Immediately, I texted Alyssa thanking her for the lovely card.
All day long at work, I carried those carefully crafted words in the back of my mind and in my heart. Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” So true! Alyssa’s words also reminded me of my theme for this year, “Connecting with God and others.” What better way to connect authentically with those around me than to give specific compliments. I know I felt not only loved by Alyssa but also understood. I have decided to use Alyssa’s beautiful example as a model for loving others. It is important to tell others how much we love them, but Lys took love to another level by sharing a few qualities that she appreciates in me. May we take the time to tell others what we love, appreciate, and notice about them.
Father God, help us love each other deeply. Amen.