Let me start by sharing something that happened recently with my fourteen-year-old daughter (Ceanna) which moved me greatly and caused me to reflect on my relationship with God.

I took my daughters out Christmas shopping yesterday to buy them a gift. Before we started shopping, we stopped at one of my favourite restaurants in Port of Spain for lunch. It was a fun day of shopping intertwined with what I call a “Daddy-Daughter Dates”, where we spend quality time together.

At the restaurant, my other daughter Maya and I gave Ceanna our orders because the last time we went dining, Maya placed the order. I do this so they would get accustomed to being confident, interacting with people openly, and being taught general restaurant etiquette. After placing the order, we had some chit-chat while we waited for the food.

Now, here comes one of the appetisers, five (5) Chinese dumplings on a tray. When the waiter put them on the table, I thought, “These dumplings are a bit small”. Nevertheless, I gave Maya and Ceanna two and kept one for myself. Then, about two seconds later, when I looked up, I saw Ceanna cutting one of her dumplings in half. So, in my mind, I thought, “Ceanna is hungry today as she is quickly attempting to eat those dumplings”.

Ceanna then cut the dumplings, and instead of eating them as I had thought, she handed me half of one of hers. She did not even ask me if I wanted half; she just cut it and placed it on my plate. Ceanna did not want her and her sister to have two and her daddy to have only one. She would rather have less, if that would allow her father to have more. Oh, the things to melt a man’s heart were unfolding before me.

When I thought Ceanna was hungry to eat for herself, she was hungry for others to eat and be filled at her expense. What a loving child God has given me the privilege to groom and mentor.

In this little act, Ceanna displayed great love and sacrifice. It reminded me of the scripture, “If you love me, keep my commandments”. To me, this scripture has two parts: the love aspect and the action aspect (the act of doing work to keep the commandments). This scripture is saying that love is represented in actions and nothing else. Case in point with Ceanna: my child displayed love in actions. In the same way, we, as God’s children, must exhibit love to our Heavenly Father through the right actions.

When we display love to our Heavenly Father, you know what happens? God said that he would not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalms 84:11). I want to repeat that, “He will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly,” and one thing we can be sure of, God Honors His word.  Therefore, by loving God, He will reciprocate by opening the windows of heaven and pouring out great blessings.

So, what do you think Ceanna’s blessing was? Well, for Christmas, she wanted a new phone and of all phones, this child wanted an Apple iPhone. I know what you are thinking because I am thinking the same thing. A 14-year-old child wants an iPhone. They don’t make 14-year-olds like they used to.😊

I carefully considered purchasing the iPhone as a gift for my daughter, ultimately deciding to upgrade from her previous cheaper Android device. Do you know the tipping point, or should I say the main point that caused me to give Ceanna the desires of her heart? It was the LOVE she showed to her father by sacrificing her needs to please and satisfy mine. In the same way, we get the desires of our hearts and every good gift because of the LOVE we show to our Heavenly Father.

I believe that love should not only be limited to the relationships between child and parent or child and Heavenly Father, but it should also be shown amongst ourselves in spousal and other types of relationships.

Earlier this year, I made a decision to reciprocate any wrong that someone does to me with love. Unlike those who plan ways of getting back at those who hurt them, my intention is to do the opposite. I want to sit down, plan the best love option, and apply it. Sometimes, it’s not only about reciprocating with love because you might not receive it first. Instead, it’s about starting with love and giving it regardless of what was first given to you.

Today, I encourage everyone to let love guide every interaction with their friend, family, or foe. In doing so, you will undoubtedly inherit a blessing from our heavenly Father. Never forget this: “Reciprocate with Love” or even better, “Start with Love.”

I end by reminding us of the following scripture.

Mark 12:30-31 – “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

1 Peter 4:8 NIV “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins”

1 Peter 3:9 NIV9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (note: you will get a blessing if you show love, even to the ones that hurt you. This is what we were called to do).

PS: Dane Miller was last seen video chatting with his daughter via the iPhone Facetime app. Those who overheard the conversation said that they were talking about love.

Your Brother in the Lord,

Dane Miller – “God is the Author, I am the Pen”

Authored Book – What is the Woman Saying – Lessons from Biblical Women.

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