Love Cards

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:7-12, 19

“What are you doing?” six-year-old George asked his sister as he climbed onto the stool beside her. He frowned when he noticed the countertop was covered in paper and other craft supplies.

Heidi dipped the pen she was holding into a jar of ink that sat beside her. “I’m using my calligraphy set to make valentines for my classmates and youth group,” she replied. “See? I dip the pen into the pink ink, and then I write a verse on the inside of the card.”

George watched as Heidi used her pen to create curvy letters on the paper, the upward stokes coming out very thin and the downward stokes coming out thick. “Why are you making valentines for all those people? That sounds like a lot of work!”

Heidi laughed as she lifted her pen off the page and grabbed another card. “You’re right, it is a lot of work, but I think it’s worth it. Did you read the verse I wrote inside the cards?”

George peered at the card Heidi had just finished. “We love because God first loved us,” he read slowly.

“Exactly! That verse is First John 4:19. God loves us a lot! He loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us so we could be saved. And when we trust in Jesus, He fills our hearts with His love. Because He loves us, we’re able to love others. So, making valentine cards is a small way I can show love to my classmates and fellow youth group members.”

Heidi glanced at her brother as she finished writing her verse in another card. “Would you like to make some cards for someone to show love to them?” she asked. “I can help you if you want me to.”

George considered this as he inspected his sister’s cards. “I want to make a card for Mom and Dad,” he decided. “And maybe Grandma, but I don’t like pink. I want to write in red.”

Heidi smiled. “Red it is.”

-Kimberly Brokish

How About You?

Do you know how much God loves you? He loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for you. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? (See “Have You Heard the Good News?” on page 102.) If so, then you have God’s love in your heart! There are lots of ways to show His love to others. You could make a card for someone like Heidi did in today’s story, or it can be as simple as smiling at someone or saying hello. How can you show someone God’s love this Valentine’s Day?

Today’s Key Verse:
1 John 4:7 (NIV) Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Today’s Key Thought:

Show God’s love to others