Shameless, Shameless, Shameless...

Those are the words my husband was muttering to me when he came in to our bedroom a short three weeks ago (August 18th), carrying a tray of brownies (still warm from the oven) and a pile of delicious Hershey's Dark Chocolate Bliss.

You see, I was recovering from having my gal bladder removed... and in a lot of pain, because I didn't follow the doctors prescribed dosage of pain killers. Basically--I was stupid.

Anyway, the last lines of my post on August 17th were (and I quote): "Where's the chocolate? Anyone? Anyone???"

It was really rhetorical, but a sweet friend of mine rushed to put together a batch of brownies and some Hershey's Bliss bars and brought them over to our home. I was so touched at her thoughtful gesture... especially when she has three children -- quite a handful! It made me feel so special, so cared for, so thought of... but mostly, loved.

Small gestures such as that go a long way towards making someone feel better -- emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It wouldn't have mattered if her gift of love was a bag of chips -- the fact was, she sacrificed the precious time out of her very busy life and brought me something wonderful!

My husband is an excellent cook, so when others offered to bring us meals, we graciously declined, because we thought we'd be okay in that area -- but chocolate? Bring it.

So, you know there's a bible lesson involved here, right? You didn't think I was just going to brag on my sweet friend and that would be all, did you?

In Galatians, Paul said that we should "serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13) and to "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). Wow.... WOW! Many people think they find great satisfaction when they receive... but I'm willing to bet that my sweet friend received tremendous satisfaction when she brought that tray of luscious chocolaty goodness to my home!

Personally, I enjoy being there for others when they need help. Whether its a hand-delivered home cooked meal, a platter of cookies (or brownies, or a basket of chocolate bars), some homemade preserves, a hand being held in a time of need, a hug and a prayer over a sick loved one, a ride to the doctor, children being watched, laundry being folded, or a bathroom being cleaned -- these are all ways I enjoy serving others in their time of need... To serve others is to be like Jesus to them, to give our lives meaning, and to find tremendous satisfaction! Serving is its own reward.

So ... can chocolate really be a love language?

And... in my defense, I wasn't really askinganyoneforchocolcate. Oh, okay. Maybe subconsciously, I was. But it made me feel so special, and I just wanted to thank my friend.

What are some ways you serve others?

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).