Love in Action

Bible Reading: 1 John 3:18-19; 4:19

Each month, Annie went with her grandma to the nursing home to do craft time with the residents. Annie was beginning to love all the residents, especially Miss Tilley.

“You remind me of my Emily when she was a little girl,” Miss Tilley told Annie each time she saw her. Annie would always smile and give her a hug.

“Does Miss Tilley have any family around?” Annie asked Grandma on the ride home one day.

“I don’t think she does,” said Grandma. “Her daughter lives in another state and rarely comes to visit her. A lot of the residents don’t get many visitors and are probably lonely.”

“That’s sad. I’m glad we do craft time with them, Grandma. Thanks for taking me with you each month. I didn’t think I would like going, but I look forward to it now.”

Grandma smiled. “You know, Annie, when you sit and visit with Miss Tilley and the other residents, you’re showing them love through your actions, just like the Bible tells us to do.”

“I am?” asked Annie.

Grandma nodded. “There’s a verse that says, ‘Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.’ Because we know Jesus, who loves us so much that He gave His life to save us, we can show His love to others. When you spend time with the residents at the nursing home, you’re communicating God’s love to them,” Grandma said as she pulled into Annie’s driveway.

“How was craft time today?” Mom asked as Grandma and Annie walked in.

“Fun, as always! Miss Tilley told me I remind her of her daughter again, and Mr. Kirkman was his usual loving, grouchy self.” Annie laughed.

Grandma and Annie sat and told Mom about their evening. “Grandma told me I was love in action. Did you know it says in the Bible that we shouldn’t just say we love someone but that we should show it?” Annie asked. Mom nodded and smiled.

Annie jumped up and gave Mom a big hug. “What’s the hug for?” Mom asked.

“Just showing you I love you!” Annie bounded over to Grandma and threw her arms around her. “I love you too, Grandma!”

–Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Are you showing God’s love to others through your actions? Our kind, loving actions show that we belong to God. We love each other because He loved us first. God showed us how much He loved us by sending Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. That was true love in action. If you know Jesus as your Savior, you can show others the same kind of love He shows us.

Today’s Key Verse:
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (NLT) (1 John 3:18)

Today’s Key Thought:
Show God’s love through your actions