What are you hungry for? I’m not talking about food, but what does your soul crave? January is usually a hard month for me. It’s the winter slump, business of the holidays are over, the desire to re-organize my stuff has passed, and Valentine’s Day is around the corner. I found myself craving to feel loved. My husband is gone so I don’t have anyone in the house to love on me and me on them. And, no, I don’t want to get a pet! My kids and grandkids are great, but they aren’t right here physically with me in my house all the time.
I heard Carolyn Moor, founder of The Modern Widow Club, say “What you crave the most go do for others.” It would be easy to isolate myself, feel sorry for myself and fall deeper into depression. We only have one decision to make every day and that is how will we use our time? Self pity, self indulgence, self, self, self or invest in others?
“The world is full of suffering and if you listen to what life needs instead of what you need from it, you could fill the brokenness with your own broken hearted life–and this will in turn fill you.” (The Broken Way by Ann Voskamp, page 88). There are many studies out there that show the best way to de-stress your own life is to bless someone else.
How can I love always in all ways (Carolyn Moor, The Modern Widows Club)? That’s my challenge, my calling. I am where I am to help/love others where they are. As a Christ follower, compassion isn’t a hobby but my complete responsibility.
I challenged myself in February to shower love on others. I spent a few days in Chicago with some new widow friends. We went to see “Hamilton” but basically hung out at the apartment and talked, talked, talked. 
I was able to babysit one of my grandsons for a few days to help mom and Dad. Another friend came to Chicago on business and asked if I wanted to come hang out with her before her meetings started. Yes! Of course! We were able to spend about 24 hours together eating, sipping coffee and wine and getting caught up. Karsten met me in Chicago so I could love on him for his birthday by having a great dinner together.
Valentine’s Day is not a favorite holiday for those of us who are widows or some women who find themselves single for whatever reason. The weekend before the holiday I had a Galentine’s Party, celebrating us gals. We had a nice dinner, did a craft, played cards, and watched a movie. Some women spent the night and had breakfast the next morning.
Two of my other widow friends and I volunteered at the Tim Teebow “Night to Shine Prom” for special needs people. I put make-up on some of the girls before the prom, others did nails and hair. During the prom my friend and I were buddies for two participants. It was so much fun! 
My support group for mothers with adopted children met to support and encourage each other. One of the mom’s that had moved out of state was going to be passing through and was able to stop by and spend the night.
I don’t share these things to toot my own horn but to say, “As a result of these things, is my heart full of love? Yes!”
These bigger events were awesome but what about the day-to-day ways to show love? The challenge for me is how can I show love to others today without expectinganything in return? Author Ann Voskamp calls it: be the G.I.F.T. (Give It Forward Today). Ann shared how she and her kids went to the Dollar Store and left dollar bills up and down the isles, paid for the people’s coffee behind her in line, took flowers to the nursing home and many more ways to be the GIFT. How can I be the GIFT today? How can you be the GIFT today?
Jesus’ disciples had gone into town and when they got back to where Jesus was they urged him to eat something. But Jesus replied that he had a kind of food they knew nothing about. The disciples asked if someone had brought food while they were gone. The Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work…” (John 4: 31-34). Our cravings are satisfied by doing the will of God, doing his work.
What does your soul crave? Go do it for others so you will feel filled!
On the journey,
Trish
My 2017 began by celebrating Christmas with my children over the New Year weekend.
