friday five: the things we do for love

 For my son and daughter-in-law's rehearsal dinner I had a puzzle made of a photograph of them. Guests worked on the puzzle throughout the evening and got to know each other across the pieces. Putting together the entire evening was a fun-filled and joyous gift of love.

At RevGals Songbird writes: I have a friend who, when she has to be away from her child, goes to the trouble of planning a present for each of the days they will be apart. I'm impressed by her organizational skills and her creativity and her thoughtfulness.

She does these things for love.

And although love looks different depending on how we best express it, there are definitely things we do for love. So for today's Friday Five, please share the following five things:

1) Something you did for love that was a hit

Two things spring immediately to mind. When I lived in St. Louis my goddaughter--who lived in New Jersey at the time--attended a national church youth event in Terre Haute, IN. I drove the three hours to Terre Haute to take her to dinner and spend a little time with her, and then turned around and drove home. It was a carpe opportunity kind of thing. 

Ten years ago my friend Kathy and I spent two glorious weeks vacationing in northern California. I had become intoxicated with scrapbooking, so I decided that I would make scrapbooks of our trip for both of us. It took a year to finish it, but I finally presented to her the 72-page album documenting our adventures. Somewhere I have a picture of her looking through it, and you can tell by the expression on her face that she was moved and delighted with the gift.

2) Something you did for love that was more of a miss

I don't know that anything has been a miss as much as that I have been disappointed that something I've done doesn't appear to be appreciated. Unfortunately there are several such occasions that come to mind, and even though it is hurtful for the effort not to be acknowledged, it doesn't stop me from showing the love the next time.

3) Something someone did for love of you

The same friend, Kathy, threw me a big birthday party when I turned 40. Not only was the party itself a wonderful event (she was a great hostess), but she conspired to have some good friends from out of state and across the country come for the weekend as a surprise. She also solicited letters and photos from friends and family that she compiled into an album for me. It was truly a wonderful expression of love.

4) Something you *wish* someone would do for love of you

I wish my husband would clean up after himself in the kitchen on a regular basis, but other than that, nothing in particular comes to mind.

5) Something you've done for love of God

I hope that I live my life in a way that reflects an infusion of my love for God. If I have to narrow it down I would say that trusting in God's love for and acceptance of me in the face of my flaws and the ways I'm sure I disappoint him is what I do for love of God.