They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love...

Easter is almost here.  Yes, it is REALLY early this year!  Last year it was at the end of April and this year it is April 8th!  One of the things God has really laid on my heart is to reach out to my neighbors.  For the last three years, my family has delivered Poinsettias and Christmas and Lilies at Easter for the neighbors we know well.  About 8-10 each year.  This year, we were led to deliver Poinsettias at Christmas to EVERYONE on our street!   We looked like door to door Poinsettia dealers with our stroller packed to the gills with 35 plants in tow! 

So, the plan for Easter was to give Easter Lilies, but we have now decided to give each family a bag of jelly beans, instead.  I also made some simple cards on VistaPrint (love those deals and groupons), to attach to the jelly beans.

Why in the world am I going to deliver bags of candy to neighbors?  Many I barely know?  There are quite a few reasons.  #1 - God has led me to love my neighbors.  This is just a small way to say, "Hey!  You are important!  Have a little treat on me!"  #2 - My kids are learning lessons about loving their neighbors as themselves.  #3 - I LOVE making people smile!  When we delivered flowers at Christmas, we didn't realize what an impact it would make.  We gave one to a family that had just lost their teenage daughter a day or two before, she had been in a coma for a month.  There was also an elderly man who was asking other neighbors who we were.  He was so touched, because that was his first Christmas without his wife.  She had died recently, and Christmas was much harder than ever before.  We also met the guy who had crazy parties at all hours of the night.  He was really surprised that we were doing what we were doing.  My husband thought I had lost my mind, wanting to deliver plants to the doors of people we didn't know, but by the end, we were both so very glad we had gone for it.  It was worth a little discomfort.

OK - it is YOUR TURN!  Get in on the FUN!!!!!  You still have a few days left before Easter.  How can you show your neighbors a little taste of God's love?  It doesn't need to be expensive!  Just thoughtful! Pray about how you can be a light to your street! You won't regret it!!!

Blessings,

Nicole


 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34,35 (NIV)