The Only Thing That Counts
My daughter, Hope, is one of those people who knows how to dress.
She’ll put on a blue and white striped shirt, throw an army jacket on top, black stretch pants on the bottom, finish the look with some little brown ankle boots and look like a fashionista.
I get all stuck in a garanimals state of mind. Did you ever wear garanimals? It seriously scarred me for life. And made me resistant to the delight of the unexpected.
Matchy matchy became the curse of my closet.
Until.
Hope set me straight one day. “Mom, your outfits need a little pop!”
Pop?
She started whipping my outfits together in a way I’d never dream.
An orange necklace with an outfit that had not a stitch of orange.
Hunh?
Leopard flats with a dark blue shirt, teal necklace, and black skinny jeans.
Really?
A grey and white striped shirt with a patterned black and white scarf brought together with a bright red jacket.
Are you sure?
She was more than sure. With great confidence she introduced me to the world of adding a pop- a little something unexpected. A new way of expressing myself. And it has been delightful.
So, I started thinking, what if I did this with other areas of my life? Other places where I’ve slipped into the “same old, same old” ruts.
Might the delight of the unexpected make other aspects of my life more fun?
Galatians 5:6b says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Might this be an invitation to discover another new way to express myself? Express my faith? Through unexpected acts of love?
Yes. I think so.
So, I did a little experiment. I started reading Bible verses by adding on a little question/challenge to myself at the end: “…. So that I can love who?”
For example, Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” … so that I can love who?
There is someone in my life who needs my love but I’ll only be able to do it if I let God change my mindset. I need to add this little pop- this new expression of my faith through love.
Philippians 4:19, “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” … so that I can love who?
There is someone in my life who needs something that I think I can’t give. But I can give when I realize God is supplying me in abundance. He is the supplier. I just have to open my hand and channel some of my blessing in this person’s direction. I need to add this little pop- this new expression of my faith through love.
Why not try this yourself? No, not the leopard flats and teal necklace… although that is quite the charming combination. But rather adding the question, “so that I can love who?” to the end of the verses you read this week.
It will certainly give you a new way to express your faith. A way that God says is the only thing that counts.
Related posts:
Sitting At Home, Alone
The Cussing Thoughts
I Want to Run Away
