This Valentine’s Day I’m not giving Ana flowers, or candy or a card. She doesn’t like cut flowers, because they die. She doesn’t want candy, because she’s trying to eat healthy. And she thinks cards are silly, because what are you supposed to do with them after you read them?
For Ana the best way to say, “I love you” is not for me to give something to her, but to do something for her. So, instead of flowers, candies or cards, I’m giving her something far more valuable – my time. Starting next week, I’m going to be refinishing the walls in her sewing room and building her cabinets and shelves, customizing it just for her. She’s so excited! She can hardly wait to get in there and play!
I think Jesus would agree with Ana, that actions say “I love you” better than gifts or fancy words. In John 13:34 Jesus told His disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another.” How? “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” And how did Jesus love them? He did things for them. Just moments before He had washed their feet, telling them they should do the same for each other.
And think of all the other things He did for them. He fed them and 5000 others. He spent time with them on a mountainside, calmed the storm around them, and settled their quarrels. Finally, in the end, He gave His life for them.
Jesus continues to do things for us to show His love, for “we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God…” (Hebrew 4:14). There continues to serve his followers, “…because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25).
This Valentine’s Day, let’s follow Jesus’ example, who “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…” (Philippians 2:7). Let’s love as He loved, by serving each other, by meeting each others needs. In other words, let’s not just tell someone they’re loved today, let’s show them!