Show Love

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Did you hear that our neighbor Mrs. Smith broke her leg?” Aiden asked his sister as they were walking home from school.

“No. That’s so sad!” Ava replied.

“Yeah. Mom said we’re going to bring a plate of supper to her every night since she lives by herself.” Aiden grinned at his sister. “I decided you should be the first one to take it over to her—tag, you’re it!” Aiden tapped Ava on the shoulder and took off running toward the house.

Ava soon caught up and tapped Aiden on the shoulder. “Tag, you’re it! Why do I have to be the first one to take supper to Mrs. Smith? You’re older. You should go first.”

“That’s right,” said Aiden. “I am older, so I should be able to choose who does it first—and I’m going to be too busy to do it.”

“Busy with what—playing video games?” Ava asked as they reached their front door and walked in.

“As a matter of fact, yes. I have a new level I’m trying to beat.” Aiden wandered into the kitchen to find Mom throwing away a dead bouquet of flowers. “I don’t know why Dad even bothers to give you flowers,” Aiden told his mom. “They don’t last very long before they die.”

Ava came in and sat down at the table. “Mom, Aiden said I have to take Mrs. Smith’s supper plate to her because he doesn’t want to.”

“Aiden, your dad buys me flowers every now and then because he wants to show me his love for me,” Mom said as she tied up the garbage bag. “You’re right—they don’t last long, but the feeling of love I feel because he took the time to buy me flowers does. That’s a lot like how we should show God’s love to others as Christians. His love for us lasts forever, and the impact we can have on others when we show them God’s love can last forever too, even if the things we do out of love don’t last very long.”

“Like bringing someone a plate of food?” asked Ava.

Mom nodded and looked at Aiden, who sat silently thinking. “Ava, why don’t we take supper to Mrs. Smith together?” he said finally.

Ava grinned. “I think that’s a great idea.”

-Melissa Yeagle

How About You?

Do you ever feel like the things you do to show people God’s love don’t last very long? When you bring food to a sick person, it gets eaten, and when you shovel a neighbor’s driveway, it snows again. Your deeds may not last, but the love behind them does. By doing those things, you’re showing others the love of Jesus, which lasts forever! How can you show God’s love to someone today?

Today’s Key Verse:
John 13:34 (NIV) Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Today’s Key Thought:

Show love to others