Spread the Love!

This is a repost from February 21, 2012, really not that long ago.  However, this was a post I had such fun writing and when I re-read it today in anticipation of being away for a few days, there was a strong pull to share it with you again.  Enjoy!

* * * *

Spread love everywhere you go.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

~~ Mother Teresa

Starbucks isn't my usual coffee hangout.  The fact that my husband owns a commercial grade grinder and makes really good coffee keeps me happy and well served right at home.  BUT someone sent me a Starbucks card for my birthday, so the other day I was out and about and strolled into one of the multiple locations in my hometown and ordered my usual.

Once the barista had finished making my drink, she handed it to me in something other than the standard Starbucks cup . . . one might just say it was a "love" cup.  Printed on the cup was the image you see here.  The barista explained it was left over from Valentine's Day and they were to be used until gone.

Well, I must admit I left the coffee shop feeling a little lighter than when I'd come in.  As I read all the directions that love could take us on that coffee cup, my heart was lifted higher and higher.  How many facets there are to the action of love when it is sent in the direction of another!

How many times in one day do we send out the vibes needed to make another feel loved?  Likely not often enough to make a difference.  I've enlarged the image above so that you can read as much of the language from the cup as possible.  Most of these have a romantic hint, but if you take the time to focus on the word "love" and its many meanings, I'm sure you can list many more ways to reflect love in your daily life.

Q4U:  Do you have unique ideas about spreading love throughout your family, friends and community?  Won't you share them here?

Photo credits:

Starbucks

Glitters123

Don't Be Shy!

Fall turns our hearts and minds to school beginning, colors on trees changing, crisp air, brilliant blue skies, and a host of other fall-related activities.  For me, I begin to think of the start of a new year for Mothers of Preschoolers group at church.  It's a time of revisiting friendships made, meeting new moms, watching moms move into leadership roles, and a new theme for the year.

When my mentor mom packet arrived from MOPS, I was startled by something new.  The theme was one I felt strongly about -- MomSense -- something every mom needs in her tool box.  The theme verse was an old favorite, 2 Timothy 1:7.  What startled me was that for the first time ever the verse had not been taken from the NIV version of the Bible, but from The Message.  What goes here I thought to myself?  I began digging through and there it was -- the answer to my question.  MOPS had chosen The Message because of three words:  bold, sensible and loving.  These were words the organization's planners felt young moms could more easily relate to.  I like them too!

I like that in The Message the words "God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts" call us to sharing by stepping up, reaching out, and showing His love in a fresh new way.  As a child, I was very shy and have had to work hard to be less so as I've grown older.  Sometimes, I think a little of my shyness might be in order, but when it comes to spreading God's gifts and love, we just can't be shy -- we need to be bold, loving and sensible.

"God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts,

but bold, and loving, and sensible."  2 Tim. 1:7 (The Message)

Q4U:  What keeps you from being bold in your daily life?