Today as I was running errands, I walked into a business where I know most of the folks by name. I almost always speak, call folks by their name, share a joke or two and hopefully leave folks with a little encouragement.

I noticed that one of the workers seemed a little off today, so before I left, I was going to try to give them a lift up and some encouragement, but when I went to speak to them, they turned their back on me. I continued trying to open the door, so that I could leave them with an “up” feeling, but they continued to give me the “back” treatment. I walked out the door wondering what in the world is their problem?

I must admit, at first it made me mad, but then I started asking myself what could be going on in their life and mind that would cause them to not want to look me in the eye and I have to confess that while I came up with many possible scenarios, I never came up with the answer to my question???

So, I turned it around on myself and began to think about how and when I may miss opportunities to look someone in the eye and really see them. This got me to thinking about some of the different reasons why eye contact is important…

The first reason is it COMMUNICATES RESPECT! When you look at someone in the eye, it is a way of saying you trust them and they can trust you. It’s a safe space, level ground and trust is a foundation for us to build on.

The second reason is it EXPRESSES INTEREST! We pay attention to what we are interested in. We look at what matters to us. We fix our focus in the direction of the things and people we really care about.

The third reason is it CONVEYS APPRECIATION! When we are truly grateful to someone for something, we want to make sure they know it. We have to look at them and see them to know for sure.

The fourth reason is it REASSURES UNDERSTANDING! The eyes often say so much more than words can convey. With them we can express positively or negatively exactly how we feel and what we understand.

The fifth reason is it OPENS FRIENDSHIP! Someone said the eyes are the windows to the soul. One of the reasons I hate texting is because I communicate with all of my senses, both in how I express myself and how I receive the expressions of others.

So open your eyes, look at me, I see you and appreciate you seeing me…

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. -Micah 6:8

We know what we are supposed to do, the secret is actually doing it!

1. Act the way you’re supposed to!

2. Love mercy by receiving it and sharing it with others!

3. Walk humbly before God, because we are nothing without our Creator!

Grace is when God gives us what we don’t deserve and mercy is when God doesn’t give us what we do deserve! Life is really not complicated. We just need to put into practice what we do know, so that we might learn what we need to know. You see, life is a learn as you go adventure.

Act The Way You’re Supposed To! We know the difference between right and wrong and the challenge that we all face is choosing right. Start with the small things by just. doing what you know and then build on that.

Love Mercy By Receiving It And Sharing It With Others! We deserve death, sepeartion and punishment, but God gives us life, relationship and blessings – that my friends is MERCY. Open your heart and life up to this amazing gift, receive it and all the freedom it brings and make sure that you are sharing it with others, every chance you get.

Walk Humbly Before God, Because We Are Nothing Without Our Creator! It’s really not that difficult. Read the next line out loud: “I am nothing without my Creator, but I am everything with my Creator.” Believe that and live you life with this attitude of humility and you will find that your dependence on your God, will produce miracles, power and success in your life and endeavors.

Remember: We know what we are supposed to do, the secret is actually doing it!

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”Ephesians 5:1-2

We spend so much time everyday running around trying to accomplish everything that we think is important. We wear ourselves out and make ourselves a little crazy chasing after a goal that we can never seem to catch. Maybe you find yourself at that place where you are frustrated and tired. You know the place, the place where no matter how much sleep you get, you still feel like you are dragging and having to make yourself get up and go.

Well, there is a better way! Rather than running around, chasing the elusive prey of trying to have a successful day, we should just follow the example of our Creator. The Bible teaches us that God is love. God does not chase love, God is love. We were created in God’s image, therefore we have this amazing ability to do it God’s way.

That’s right, we can “Walk in the way of Love” just as Jesus did, when he gave his life on the cross, so that we might have everlasting and abundant life. The key that unlocks the door for blessings to flow into and through our lives is LOVE. I want to challenge you today to open up your heart, soul and life and receive God’s unconditional and unlimited love. Let God love you and allow yourself to be loved by God, for you cannot share with anyone else what you don’t possess.

Once you receive God’s love, then I challenge you to share it with others, because when you receive it and share it, the love grows, becomes stronger and opens up your life for blessings. I like to call this receiving and sharing of love – “LIVING IN THE FLOW!”

Live in the flow of God’s love and you will not be disappointed, instead you will be amazed, blessed, creative, delighted, energized, friendly, graceful, healed, inspired, joyful, kind, lovely, miraculous, nurturing, open, productive, qualified, refreshed, spiritual, transformative, upbeat, victorious, whole, xenial and zen…