Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Goodness Multiplied


 Years ago when I lived in Canada 
and worked with Para- Med Health Services,
I had a dear client from the Ukraine,
and this dear women showed me through daffodils
 the gift of giving and multiplying through God's goodness.
~
In her good sized yard she grew daffodils
all around the perimeter
that were amazingly thick and lush.
They were absolutely beautiful!
~
One day after my visit with her," she asked if she could walk me to my car?"
She was rather frail and weak,  living in God's grace on hospice,
but was insistent to go out with me on this particular day.
With scissors and a mason jar in hand,
we headed to her garden where she snipped
a huge bouquet, just for me.
"These are for your enjoyment" 
she said with the sweetest smile on her face.
"Oh no, I replied! I could never take from your
beautiful garden. Why, it must have taken you
years to grow these daffodils?"
~
"God has multiplied the goodness of this garden" she replied.
"When we give and share God's goodness with others,
He blesses us in greater abundance."
"This garden belongs to God,
His desire is for me to share it with others."
And that she did!
It was the most beautiful daffodil
patch I have ever seen in a private yard.
~
I have never forgotten the lesson God had for me
over 20 years ago through this precious women's 
walk with the Lord, and her garden that belonged to her God.
She was gracious in her giving.
She was willing to share with others what God had blessed her with,
rather than selfishly keep for herself.
And in doing so, God multiplied her garden of daffodils to overflowing.


We have an area near our home that reminds me of that very garden,
only in a smaller version.
As I drove by this garden the other day, I couldn't help but 
reminisce back to the delightful times
 with this precious women of God.
~
Memories... Beautiful memories...
As I was driving home, I began to thank the Lord,
for all the lessons I have learned over the years
through other ladies whom He has used in my life.
Ladies, who represented their Savior.
Ladies who loved their Lord, and were willing to share His goodness with me.
 I too, am blessed and privileged to represent
my Savior, the Lord of my life,
through the goodness of giving and sharing with others.
~
"But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith."
(Galatians 5:22)
 ~
Goodness,  is one of the "fruits of the Spirit". 
It is an outward quality that the Holy Spirit
produces in the believers life.
Our fruit is God's. It is produced by His grace
and it glorifies Him.
So as we draw near to God,
His Spirit can bear the fruit of goodness in us for all to enjoy.
~
"As we have therefore opportunity,
let us do good unto all men, 
especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
(Galatians 6:10)
~
Goodness in character naturally leads to goodness in deeds.
Goodness is a readiness to do good unto all men.
Goodness puts love into action.
~
Jesus modeled love in action,
and we are to be like Him.
We are to live our lives modeled after Christ Jesus,
through His Word and by the power of His Spirit,
that dwells within us.
~
"What? Know ye not that your body
is the temple of the Holy Spirit
which is in you, which ye have of God,
and ye are not your own?"
(1Corinthians 6:19)
~
There should never be a person whom we refuse to love.
In any and every case, we are to love friend and enemy
alike by our acts of goodness.
Praise God, that He can help us fulfill this assignment
by filling us with His goodness,
so that we have HIS goodness to give to others!
~
Our precious Heavenly Father.
Thank you for Your Word that teaches us
how to be more like You.
Help us I pray to show forth Your love
to others, through the goodness You have bestowed 
upon us so graciously. 
May we never refuse to love and to do good
unto ALL men.
Amen.

~Be Lovely~
Debbie 

24 comments:

NanaDiana said...

What a lovely story, Debbie. I do believe we are meant to share the bounty that we receive and it is a great lesson to teach our children and grandchildren. We are blessed with some amazing "givers" in our family- xo Diana

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh Debbie, I learn so much from your sweet heart. I love this story and how you learned the lesson from that dear lady. Yes, we all must remember that when we share God's goodness with others, He blesses us. What a wonderful teacher you are. I'm so glad that you've taken the opportunity to share your lessons through your blog. Love,hugs and blessings sent to you, sweet friend.

Billie Jo said...

This is beautiful. Simply beautiful.
How that lovely woman continues to touch your soul, and now ours, through you, theses many years later.
Now, every time I see a daffodil, I will think of you and in turn, of her! What a wonderful thought...
I think God has blessed me today, my friend...through you. : )

P. S. I love those flowers...
My beautiful mother had her kitchen decorated in them when I was young. : )

Debby Ray said...

Debbie, this is such a beautiful story and a wonderful lesson in giving to others. I love how God uses so many different ways to teach us! Have a blessed rest of the week!

Sola Scriptura said...

My heart was really touched by your words "There should never be a person whom we refuse to love." Thank you for sharing this post.

Denise said...

My precious friend, your heart is a beautiful, overflowing garden. Filled with the fruits of the spirit. I love you.

Celestina Marie said...

Dear Debbie, Oh what a heart touching story. I love this and the blessing of those beautiful blooms one heart to another. She must have been very special and God placed you right there with her.
My mother and father always gave and I witnessed this all my life. For it is in the giving that we really receive. You give with each word my friend.
Lovely written.
Blessings for a special evening.
Hugs

Celestina Marie said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Celestina Marie said...

Debbie, wow~~ not sure why my posts went 3 times. You can delete the extra. SO sorry!! XO

Delvalina said...

Such a wonderful story of you and that lady. I love to see God's beauty through every little things.

There's always goodness multipled when in sharing, my parents taught me about this and once I got an experienced thorugh that and the goodness of the Lord was abudantly.

Thanks for sharing this Mrs Debbie,
I hope your Mother's Day went well.

Blessing,
Delvalina

Stephanie said...

I think sweet Celeste said it perfectly, "You give with each word." Amen!

I think maybe you should write an encouraging devotional for women - it would be a best-seller :)

Your post was lovely and may I ask who was the lady? Was it someone I would remember?

Thank you for being an instrument used by God. Beautiful pictures!

Robyn said...

Such an inspirational post, Debbie and so visually beautiful as well.
I have always felt God's presence so powerfully when I am surrounded by nature and I love that this woman shared the beauty and bounty. How lucky you were to have met one another!
Thanks, Debbie, you always soften my day and my heart with your posts. Hugs!

Ceil said...

Hi Debbie! What a beautiful story. You touched her heart by your visit, and she wanted to touch yours too. And she did! You'll never forget her kindness, just like she'd never forget yours.

God is so good in sending us to just the right people and circumstances to do his work of love. Yes! We need to love ALL our neighbors.
Blessings,
Ceil

living from glory to glory said...

Hello, It does impact us for a very long time when we are the recipients of others! You blessed her and she gave you what she had in abundance!
I desire to give as He has given me,
Sometimes it is just a kind word.
May you have a lovely spring season my dear friend!
I have been cleaning all day, just stopped to come and visit you!
Love, Roxy

Esther Asbury said...

Isn't it amazing that when our hands are open for others to take, their also open for God to (re-)fill?!

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Beautiful lesson. xoxo

Ida said...

How wonderful to have known this lady. She sounds amazing and I bet her garden of daffodils was beautiful. Your words are so true (although not always easy to live up to).

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed reading your sweet memories. Flowers looks awesome. It is nice to say thanks to the Lord for all the good things he has done for us!

Linda said...

Sweet memories, and lovely photos. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.

Deborah Montgomery said...

What a lovely story, and a good reminder for all of us. I haven't visited since you first began your blog, am trying to keep up with them all! but hope to be back more often for your inspiring words. thank you Debbie.

Sylvia said...

I am always blessed by your words,Debbie, and now again today as I read your post. Giving is a blessing that returns to you in so many ways, you have the gift of giving words of encouragement. Stephanie is right, you should write a daily devotional book, I would be the first to buy one!
Have a blessed day my friend,
Sylvia

Jazzmin said...

You have surely blessed all who read this with this beyond beautiful story you have shared! My heart was smiling through every word of your sweet experience and I am so thankful to the Lord for the lesson within it that this dear woman is a true example of.

Thank you for this amazing reminder to follow the model of our Savior, Jesus, and to be good, kind, and giving to all. You shared something so meaningful to me and it is written with such heart.

Blessings to you,
Jazzmin

Anonymous said...

What a lovely way to share God's love. The simplest lessons are often the longest remembered.

:)Hope

Sherri B. said...

Oh Debbie, your blog is just lovely and your words have blessed me in many ways this evening..thank you for sharing your love of Christ with us. xo

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...