Love with Actions and Truth

Last year, I bought a pair of pink and green pajamas for a lady who had been a friend of my family from as far back as I could remember.  I bought them in January, for her birthday, but with the busyness of life, I forgot to mail them.  Once it was too late to send them “belated,” I decided to mail them for Valentine’s Day.  I even put them in a box.  February 14 came and went, and I forgot to mail them.  In March, she was sick and hospitalized, I was going to mail the pajamas then, as a get well gift, I even thought about driving down there to visit and give them to her in person.  She recovered and was at home.  A short time later, she relapsed and passed away.  I recall coming home after the funeral and seeing the box with the pajamas on the corner of my dresser.  It had been there for months!  I had many opportunities to mail them, to reach out and show her my love, but I didn’t.  She knew I loved her, but I missed the opportunity to show her, one more time.
 
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.  (1 John 3:18 NIV)
 
Recently, as my husband’s 50th Birthday approached, he told me several times, not to plan anything.  He said we should save our money.  I thought on that for a bit, but decided that the money spent would be worth it to invite friends and family to give him their flowers while he is living.  Too often we fail to intentionally show our love for one another.  We assume that our love is known, and often, it is.  But those small gestures can really touch someone’s heart.  Small gestures such as a little token in the mail, a personal note written on the birthday card, or even sharing the Facebook “Friendversary” video shows our love.  Yes, saying, “I love you,” is important, but love is an action word.  We should take action and do loving things, because we love.  Once a person leaves this world, it is too late.    
 
My husband, thanked me saying, it was the best birthday celebration he had ever had.  I was overjoyed when everyone began to arrive, some he had not seen in a year.  Some he had not seen since the last family funeral.  It’s true flowers only have meaning when we are alive to enjoy them.  How will you show your love this week?
 


​Have a blessed week!
Thank you for reading!
Kim

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