Bring Action Into Love

365D:152

My devotional this week is Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I read the book a few years ago and I’m sure I have done this devotional as well but it is uplifting so I do not mind repeating the good stuff. This morning Chan talked about how we are just a vapor, only here for a moment… a moment we have to make the most of our lives, one moment to do what we have to do, called to do, our purpose, one moment. My thoughts ran to all the moments of I wish I would have, could have, should have but did not…

The thoughts that pop into my head of “you should do this or that” to show you care for someone just pass quickly but sometimes they linger. Surely this person knows I care, surely they know I love them? I spend as much time with them as possible, I respect the time we spend together by not checking my phone, etc. fully present. Time is great but there is more that is needed.

In Chris Conlee’s book “love works” he states that in order for love to work, there must be action. “Real Love is expressed relationally, through actions and truth”.

Over the last couple of years, my students have been the greatest examples of what action Love looks like. I have received gift cards, socks, coloring books, snacks, lunch, shiva, key chains and bracelets. Nothing that cost a lot but beautiful items that say, “I have been thinking of you, I love you and when you see this, you will remember me and my love for you.” Every time I received a gift, I remember feeling so special and wondered how they knew that I needed this symbol of beauty. I did not actually need the item, I needed the Love behind the item!

I remember a time when I used to do these things for people and I remember the last time I did. It was hurtful and unappreciated and I stopped doing these action because of one persons hateful words and actions.