love one another and you will see a new light shining

This was a song my church sang when I was very young. The end of the chorus was "a new light shining in thee." God always calls us to do the opposite of what seems right to our flesh. Loving our spouse in times when they are stressed and maybe not very loving to us, can get a new light shining within us. So many times we don't choose to show love in the face of stress, but when we finally do, we are surprised that we are the ones who are uplifted and encouraged. Showing and giving love are always the keys to the greatest joy. Take shopping, for instance, I can love to shop with the best of them, but not even an awesome day shopping for myself compares a bit to the feeling of giving a gift to someone else. To go further, nothing brings more joy than to give a gift in secret. One year I gave some gift cards to people I knew needed to have money at the holidays or in the summer for clothing for their kids. The cards were sent anonymously from the retailer, and I had such joy knowing that they would open their Secret Santa card and not know who listened to the Father's prompting to give. Do we really get the verse that says, "Give and it will be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, give and it will be given unto you!" I don't think we do, at least I know I don't always get that down deep into my soul and actions. At times of great financial stability, it was easier to live that giving lifestyle, and it brought great joy. However, to give in times of financial uncertainty certainly also would bring the same joy and would be so needed by the recipient. So, let us love one another as Jesus loves us, and that is by giving all He was for us. Enjoy giving until the enemy does not know what to make of us. Let's give and trust the Lord to sustain us. L