I recently stayed at a hotel and went down to enjoy some warm breakfast.  I gathered my paper plate and filled it with eggs, sausage and a banana.  I made my way to the other side of the counter where the aroma of fresh baked waffles was filling the air and awakening my tastebuds.  I grabbed a paper cup, set it under the spout where the guilty pleasure of waffle batter would flow from, pulled back the lever to release the batter, filled the cup, then poured the waffle batter onto the butter sprayed hot waffle maker, put the arm of the iron down, and flipped the whole thing over to begin the timed bake. The process takes about forty-five seconds, as outlined on a sign above the waffle maker.  I had done this so many times before in previous hotels over the past two decades, that I did not need guidance.  However, that was not the case for a lady watching me nearby.  She approached me and said in very broken English, “You look like a pro at that!”  I smiled and said “that may be a bad thing, but yes, I suppose I have done this a few dozen times.”   She came closer with eagerness in her eyes and asked if I would show her how to do it, and so I did.  She expressed her gratitude with a warm smile and a thank you, then proceeded to make waffles for her entire family, and a few others I believe.

I was so blessed to experience this beautiful opportunity to be kind, to simply love in the moment.  I could have pointed to the sign where the directions were.  I could have ignored her altogether.  I could have even said hurtful words and walked away.  Instead, I chose to help with cheerfulness.  I promise you that it was not my own fleshly desire that prompted me to help this lady.  I was on a tight schedule already.  I needed to eat before I could take my medicine, and my stomach was growling something fierce.  But, it was Christ’s love flowing through me that caused my spirit to see the need of this grandma and show her love.  The language barrier was a non-issue because of love.  Her smile warmed my heart, and watching her prepare her entire family waffles  made my heart leap.  Who knew that love would pour out over the making of waffles!

We have been given new life in Christ.  He came to serve; he gave his life in love for us all.  And therefore, as sons and daughters of Christ in our salvation with Him, we should walk in this love.  To deny or reject the honor to serve, and thus love others, would be to deny the power of the love Christ has given us.  The Lord has come to rescue us from self destruction.  I am so grateful I did not miss this opportunity to love.

Lord, reveal to us all, through the Holy Spirit, where we are seeking to fill the void in our lives with anything but You, Lord, and Your love.  Help us to be the hands and feet of You, allowing Your love to flow from within our hearts.

Joyfully Healing From The Inside Out,