Let me tell you what #lovedoes

Love looks a lot like this sweet lady I get to share a few minutes with each Sunday morning. She is always early, and always excited to talk. I’ve heard about good times, bad times, her children, her travels, her childhood, her husband and their marriage, her car wreck, her likes and dislikes; a little bit of everything.

Last week I got to hear about one way she expresses the love of Christ to some people that are in a rough place. It’s not a way she loves on her immediate family, her friends, or those she comes in direct contact with; it’s a way she reaches out to some men in a prison. There are some men from different churches that go and pray with these guys in prison, talk to them about the greatest love in the world [Jesus], and just spend time letting them know they are cared for. That might not always be the most well received by all, but most things in life are better received when they are accompanied by cookies. #simpletruth

That’s where this sweet lady comes in. You see the church guys aren’t allowed to bring a whole lot, but they are allowed to bring some cookies. The church asks that people supply those cookies. This friend of mine was telling me that some people like to bake a dozen cookies, or two dozen cookies, but she likes to bake 50 dozen cookies, because that is something she is good at. She said she knows that those are well received treats, that they are greatly appreciated. She likes to do what she is good at and put her talent to use in helping others. #lovedoes

I’ve heard of some great encounters that have taken place through this prison ministry. I believe wholeheartedly that those encounters are orchestrated by God, and that they take place because of those willing to go and serve, and spend their time in the prison. I also believe that those cookies play their part, because of my sweet friend, who is willing to play her part. I love how God will use whatever we offer to Him. I love how He has blessed each of us in different ways and that we can come together, as a body, and function alongside one another for His cause. I love that He uses all who are willing. My heart finds warmth in knowing that it pleases the Father when we live in His will, by living out His will.

Two dozen of her cookies were burned because she was distracted. She told me “I was just going to bring those 48 dozen, but then I decided to get two more; it’s worth it.” I believe the “it” that she was referring to, was the living as God calls us to live. That the people who would be hearing the Word of God and experiencing His love in that prison, might be more receptive with a cookie baked in her home, in their hands. So she finished baking the amount she first intended. They were worth it.

My prayer is for each of us to live in this way. Let us live worthwhile lives; let us not waste. Our lives are to be motion pictures of the love of Jesus to this world. His love is extravagant, and the way we love should also be extravagant, in response to the King. This world needs Jesus, and each of us has been gifted and equipped, to be avenues in bringing life to the lost. Love does exactly that; it brings life. Let us live with outstretched arms and open hearts, because the Gospel is worth it; the people all around us are worth it.

#LETMEINTRODUCEYOU

(She let me in on a big secret: All the people writing recipes for desserts mess up. They always {accidentally} tell you to add ½ the amount of chocolate chips, blueberries, blackberries, etc. you should truly add. So if you just take the prescribed amount and double it, you’ll be headed down a road to baking success.)