The Greatest Gift – Give Yourself

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

─ 1 John 3:18 NLT

Ginny sat in the rocking chair, holding a precious preemie. The little one was not hers. He didn’t belong to anyone she knew. She had only met this innocent little life this morning. But this moment in time fulfilled a lifelong dream, a promise she made to herself more than 20 years ago.

Both of her children spent time in the neonatal care unit when they were born. Her first was a preemie, born at 30 weeks. The second one, born full-term but experienced life-threatening complications. Both of them fought hard and lived. Her time in the NICU had challenged Ginny’s faith.

God had been so faithful to heal both her children. She always told anyone who would listen, “Someday I’ll rock babies in the NICU.” This year, her dream became a reality after months of training. Every Friday you could find her at her local hospital in the early morning hours, cuddling, cooing, singing to and praying for the tiniest little ones.

Our verse today from 1 John 3:18 encourages us not just to say with our lips that we love others, but to demonstrate it through our actions. Giving your time and energy to comfort others demonstrates your love for God as well as your love for others.

Perhaps, like Ginny, giving yourself to others will benefit you just as much as it benefits those you choose to minister to and serve.

Today’s One Thing

In what ways do you give yourself to others? What could you do this week, or over the next month that would demonstrate your love for God and for others? Will you set a plan in motion today and follow through?

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