May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another. - 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Why would a 10-year-old girl tie a note to a helium-filled balloon and send it on its way to heaven? According to columnist Bob Greene, a grieving Illinois girl named Sarah sent a letter to her grandfather, who had died before she could have one last visit with him. The envelope was addressed to "Grandpa Bernie, in heaven up high." It represented a little girl's expression of love, and her hope that somehow Grandpa would read it.

Two months passed, and then a letter arrived addressed to Sarah. It began, "Your letter to Grandpa Bernie apparently reached its destination and was read by him. I understand they can't keep material things up there, so it drifted back to earth. They just keep thoughts, memories, love, and things like that."

If we are moved by this girl's love for her grandpa, what about those we love who are still living? Death and eternity have a way of putting things in perspective. Paul, in his first letter to the Thessalonians, wrote as one who knew the lasting value of relationships. He expressed his deep love and encouraged them to increase in their love for one another (3:12).

Father, help us to see that people, their faith, and their love are what count in life. Help us to show our love, before all that we have left are wishful longings.

-MRDII

Lord, teach us the lesson of loving,
The love You are asking today;
Then help us to love one another -
For this we most earnestly pray.

-Anon.

Love increases as we give it away.