2/14/09

Model the Good - for the Lonely!


Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. (3 John, The Message)

We never know what small, random act of kindness will touch a life. This verse was part of my morning quiet time today, on this beautiful Valentine’s Day.

I was inspired to love today. Not just to get.

Today my daughter and her friend went from door to door delivering leftover chocolate cake from our dinner party last night.

Last night, a beautiful Valentine’s Day birthday dinner


Lovely hostess gift for me - an array of gorgeous flowers


Leftover delectable, rich chocolate cake


Lesson taught to our children: give your life away (Abby's brothers observed what she was up to!)


Love demonstrated by wrapping up and sharing our leftovers - chocolate cake


Specific targets: the widows in our neighborhood


Modeling goodness for the lonely – that is what our world needs more of.

Don’t you agree?

39 comments:

Shell in your Pocket said...

Yes, it thrills my heart when my kids look at others than themselves...it's a hard lesson for all of us...we are constantly talking about it here...from the basketball court to our neighbors.

Glad your dinner went well!
-sandy toe

Wendy said...

Wonderful post- I don't know which was sweeter:

...the delectable chocolate cake...

...the picture of your girls with treats in hand on the way to brighten someone's day...

...or a mom on the ball teaching her kids to make the world a better place!

Thanks for the inspiration today.

Elizabeth said...

Lovely. Yes, you are absolutely right. It inspires me to do more of that.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Kim said...

Great post! It reminded me of the true meaning of love!! How special to "love our neighbors as ourselves!"

TidyMom said...

oh what a sweet kind thing you all did! My mom is a widow living by herself and I try to send her food or invite her over as much as I can! I know she would have been thrilled with generosity like yours!!!

H♥ppy V♥lentines D♥y!

~Tidymom

trish said...

How delighted the ladies in your neighborhood must have been to open their door to sweet faces bringing a slice of cake.
Your girls are precious! They are modeling the very essence of Christ!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
Ps. Please drop by next week, I have a special give away planned! :o)

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

as parents...there is no greater joy. :)

Becky said...

What a wonderful lesson to teach your children!

Donnetta said...

More of this? Absolutely! I don't think we could ever have too much of it!

It reminds me of my study last week on the different words for love used in the Bible.

Agape love is demonstrative. I was challenged to consider what ways I am demonstrating love to others... not just saying it.

I do believe that is what occurred here! More than just saying it... demonstrating it!

OKGardners said...

What a GREAT idea and so thoughtful. Seems a lot of folks miss out on Serving Others. It brings an unspeakable joy!

Betty in Oklahoma

PS: Planning to make Barney Butter cookies soon! Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post and a wonderful idea! made me smile~
Happy valenties day~

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your family experience.
Glenda

Miss G said...

really, really, really cool! It has been on my heart the last week or so to minister to singles. I was one for quite a while not long ago at all and I don't want to forget what it's like to be lonely sometimes. Kelly

Maureen said...

I love it. I have a tray of cupcakes that will be given away tomorrow. Thanks for the thoughtful idea (lesson).

Anonymous said...

wonderful idea

Anonymous said...

That is so beautiful Sandy. I love when kids take such giving initiative to share with others. Of course I wish I lived in your neighborhood too. :-)

Barbara said...

Wow, did you make that? It's looks absolutely delicious!! If my neighbor's daughters delivered that to my door, I would think I had died and gone to heaven...

jennykate77 said...

What a wonderful lesson to teach your kiddos...one we can all learn from. The birthday cake was beautiful...love the fresh flowers!

lazy susie said...

Agree 100%!

Karla said...

What a sweet thing to do! I can only imagine how special and loved the ladies in your neighborhood must have felt.

Happy Valentine's Day!

~Karla

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Amen!
This is a beautiful post. You raise those girls up right.

Jen said...

So sweet..the widows. I never even thought of them. They are lonely. I will need to write this down for next years Valentines Day. How wonderful of an idea to share with them.
I did take my neighbors some pie I made Yesterday afternoon....they loved it.

Anonymous said...

As always you inspire me so!!

Joy
xoxo

Miss G said...

I linked to you today. :) Happy Sunday. Kelly

Meredith said...

What a thoughtful way to keep that leftover cake from tempting you all weekend!

So pretty packaged with the napkins and flowers.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

I love that, Sandy! You are really teaching your daughter the gifts of hospitality. xoxo

Amy @ Living Locurto said...

Great post! What a simple thing to pass along joy to others.

Kirstin said...

awesome Idea Sandy!! we had 3 older bachelors over today for lunch. And they were so appreciative of the invite and of course a fully home cooked meal!! They said they felt like they were in a gourmet restaurant.

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU so much. I am humbled at your quick response to my hosting challenge. You are so willing to share your life and experiences as well as help those of us learning to host and open our homes. Thank you for all do to mentor so many of us. You are teaching us so much and I really appreciate it!

~Amanda

Anonymous said...

I think we're going to try to "adopt" a widow or shut-in at church. I love when my kids finally understand what Jesus means.

Ms. Tee said...

I think this is the best lesson ever - I love this idea. :) Happy late birthday to you, too!

LuLu said...

Absolutely agree... so thoughtful!
the cake looked wonderful!
LuLu

Anonymous said...

Sandy,
Thanks for taking time to say hi! I'm amazed and thrilled that the egg and feather paintings sold out within 24 hours! Wow!
As always thanks for your heartfelt posts...they are so encouraging.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Yes, that is what we need more of! So thoughtful of you to remember widows. How happy they must have been to be remembered. VDay is a hard day for people that are single.

Manuela

Robin @ The Rendered Nest said...

I love hearing about the creative ways you show the love of Christ to others...this idea is so sweet and such a wonderful life lesson for your children as well. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Anonymous said...

Hey There, Linking here via Twitter & love your blog and especially this post! Awesome!!!

Have a super day!!!

Elizabeth in Wisconsin said...

What a wonderful, beautiful idea! You are raising such great kids, Sandy!

Biteofpunkinpie said...

I love that you had your kiddos deliver slices of chocolate cake to the widows in your neighborhood! What an act of service! I bet they loved it!

Anonymous said...

SO very sweet in more than one way. I love the way you posted this in it's simplicity.