Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Grant me more patience and help me show more kindness to others.
Amen
Reflective Question
In what areas of my life can I practice more patience and kindness?
#Love #Valentine’sDay #Spirituality #Meditation #14DaysofLove
Over the next fourteen days leading into Valentine’s Day, I invite you to explore what The Bible says about love. Whether you believe The Bible is the Word of God or not, wisdom can be found on each page.
A verse, prayer, and a reflective question will be posted to meditate on.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Prayer
Almighty God,
Help me to understand what love means and how I can love you and others with my entire being.
Amen
Reflective Question
What specific actions can I take today to show my love for God? And others?
#Love #TheBible #Valentine’sDay #Spirituality #Meditation #14DaysofLove
Joy in the Journey
How often have we been so focused on reaching a goal that we missed the little joys along the way?
So far, in our January is for Joy series, we have explored:
Joy in New Beginnings
Joy in The Present
Joy in the Deeper Meaning of Life
Joy in Relationships
If any of these were missed, now would be a great time to check them out. Each one is a quick two-minute read.
To recap, we’ve learned to jot down daily joys, ground ourselves with the five senses, connect spiritually through prayer, and cultivate joy through kindness and presence. Today, as we wrap up the series, let’s discuss finding joy in the journey.
Think about a road trip to the mountains. It’s a two-hour drive, but along the way, there’s an antique store that catches our eye. We could rush to our destination or stop, browse, and maybe find a hidden treasure.
Which choice brings more joy?
The adventure itself.
Each step forward. (And even backward, at times.)
Every small victory.
The lessons learned along the way.
James 1:2-4 reminds us,
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Stepping Stones
James says triumphs and trials are opportunities to shape our character and draw us closer to God. We can now see our experiences as stepping stones toward more joy. Wow! That is good news.
Here are a few simple ways to nurture joy:
* Celebrate small milestones – progress is progress, no matter how small.
* Be curious and open-hearted – view each new experience as an opportunity to learn.
* Reframe setbacks—treat them as stepping stones that build resilience and grace.
* Savor the process—reflect daily on the moments that make the journey meaningful.
This January, let’s take a moment to find the joy in our journey. It’s easy. Grab a journal each evening, and write down one moment that brought joy. It could be an act of kindness, a lesson learned, or a small win. It may even set us up for a year of abundant blessings.
Remember, joy isn’t just found at the end of the road. It is in every twist and turn along the way.
So, let the joy of new beginnings warm your heart. Let it fill you with hope and inspire you to embrace the journey, one moment at a time.
#January #Joy #NewBeginnings #BeinthePresent #TheDeeperMeaningofLife #Relationships #Journey #LifeJourney
Joy in Relationships
Remember our first love? The thrill, the pounding heart, the innocence of that first handhold and kiss? Our first loves fed our curiosity. Didn’t they? We discovered newness and adventure. A spark igniting a wildfire. Until the fire was extinguished.
So, how can we capture the feelings of “first loves” and keep the fire burning over decades of togetherness?
To find joy in a relationship, we must choose to chop the wood, lug the wood, and gently place the wood in a position to best fuel the fire. Then, we need to monitor the fire by lovingly poking and prodding so that oxygen keeps the fire burning. In other words, joy flourishes when we focus on giving rather than receiving, choosing selflessness over self-interest.
The Treasure of Joy
Joy is a treasure. And finding the joy in a relationship is a treasure worth cultivating. While the world often emphasizes independence, the Bible teaches the beauty of connection. Romans 12:10 reminds us:
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Such devotion can lead to profound joy when approached with kindness and genuine connection. Here are a few simple ways to cultivate joy in our relationships:
* Compliment our partner on a unique strength.
* Offer to help our partner with a mundane household task.
* Listen actively, and express ourselves with honesty and grace.
* Set aside time for deep, meaningful conversations.
* Share moments of gratitude, telling others what we appreciate about them.
* Do something together for others, like make a meal for a neighbor or volunteer at a community event.
This January, let’s take a moment to cultivate joy in our relationships. It’s easy. Each day, ask these questions: Who in our lives needs an extra dose of kindness or encouragement? How can we serve someone close in a meaningful way? Are we giving our full attention and love to the people who matter most?
Remember that kindness is a powerful way to spread joy. Whether it’s a kind word, a thoughtful note, or a small act of kindness, there is a ripple effect. Let us love one another and connect in ways where we can treasure the joy. After all, we can cultivate and nurture it our whole lives.
Let the joy of new beginnings warm our hearts, fill us with hope, and inspire us to treasure the joy in our relationships!
#January #NewBeginnings #Joy #Relationships #Kindness #Connection #LifeJourney
I and Thou Reflections 