Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! Thankfully Al is feeling better each day. I am going to clean the apartment and make some snackies for the Super Bowl. We are sad not to be celebrating in KS but grateful Al is better.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
By nature, I think we would all say we are selfish and not naturally loving but more concerned about ourselves than others. That is not the most joyful way to live, and we need God’s love flowing within us to change us into giving and loving people who care for others. Jesus said in John 10:10 that He came to give us life, abundant life! Abundant life is ours as we crucify our flesh nature and let the Holy Spirit dwell within us (Gal. 2:20). Others will know we are Jesus’ followers by our love that flows out to others. Would that we would all desire God’s love to bubble up within us and manifest in our actions.

I am writing today to ask for prayer for our friend Susan, who many of you have prayed for in the past. She is legally blind and lives in Assisted Living and has no family around; only a son and grandson who live in the northwest and visit her once a year or so. She has so little in worldly goods, but she is grateful and content. She could use prayers as she is leaving Sunday at 6 a.m. to be taken to Duluth where she will have a mastectomy early Monday morning, on her birthday. I talked to her last week, and they had a flu bug at Assisted Living and no visitors allowed. I prayed that she would be able to celebrate her birthday in some way before her surgery. I had made her favorite chocolate cookies on a stick, since her hands are deformed with arthritis it is easier for her to hold. I also put a chocolate cake in the freezer that had lots of chocolate frosting and bought her chocolate candy, root beer and a couple new shirts. But how was I going to get them to her and so I prayed. I definitely know the Lord watches over Susan as I see the evidence so many times as He meets her needs.

The Lord answered my prayer as I woke from a nap and found out that our daughter Ann was stopping by in 5 minutes and would meet me downstairs since Al was sick. I asked her if she would leave off these gifts for Susan at the desk as she goes by her place going home. I had a feeling a call would come from Susan later and she was so happy she could hardly talk. She said even the aides that brought her the bags of gifts were almost as excited as she was. Susan loves to give to others, and I know she will share the cake and cookies, particularly with a special friend. God’s love beams in her life and her gratitude overflows. It isn’t that she has a lot, but what she has she is grateful for. I loved that the Lord wanted her to be able to celebrate her birthday for it will be a long time of recovery as she goes to a Nursing Home in Duluth following surgery. I promised her I would ask you all to pray for her!

Challenge for today: When you see a need pray and ask the Lord if He wants to use you to meet that need and let His love flow through you.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy