More Than Words

Read: James 1:22-25

After a delicious lunch on Father’s Day, Ophelia joined the rest of her family to watch Dad open his presents.

“Open mine first, Daddy,” Evelyn said eagerly. “I made you a picture.”

“Don’t tell,” said Ophelia, but everyone laughed as Evelyn insisted on helping her father open the package containing the picture she had drawn for him. Then they watched while he opened the rest of his gifts. Every family member had bought or made something for Dad—everyone, that is, except for Ophelia.

“These gifts are wonderful!” said Dad. “I can hardly wait to use them. Thank you all very much!”

“You didn’t open Ophelia’s present,” Evelyn said. “Where is it, Ophelia?”

Ophelia was embarrassed. Everyone was waiting to see what she had for Dad. “I—I love you, Dad, and I was going to buy or make you something, but I’ve been so busy,” she said, blushing.

Dad was very gracious. “I know,” he assured her, “and I have enough presents. Come on, let’s have some of that great-looking cake!”

That night Mom found Ophelia crying in her room. “I didn’t have a present for Dad,” she said, tears spilling onto her pillow.

“It’s okay, Ophelia. You couldn’t help it if you didn’t have time or money to get something for Dad,” Mom told her.

“I know, but…I could have taken time to make something for him,” Ophelia admitted. “You even offered to help me make him some cookies, but I just didn’t get around to it.”

“It would have been nice to do something to show your love,” Mom said. “It’s so easy to say we love someone, but love is more than words. It’s action—like God showing how much He loved us by sending Jesus to save us.”

Ophelia nodded. “I’m going to make tomorrow another Father’s Day for Dad!” she said. “I’ll, uh—oh, I know! I’ll show him I love him by cleaning out his car.”

“I’m sure He’ll love that,” Mom said. “And let’s not forget to let our actions show our love for our heavenly Father too.”

–Jan L. Hansen

How about you? Do your actions show your love for your parents and others who are important to you? It’s important to tell people you love them, but those words need to be backed up with actions. God showed us His love by sending His Son, Jesus, to die to save us from sin. We can show our love for Him in return by obeying and serving Him.

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

Today's key thought: Put love into action