“I haven’t seen you in years!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“Actually, I came to see you last week,” I smiled. “Do you want to go for a car ride to the beach and get a mocha?” An hour later, on our way back, she asked if we could drive by the beach and get a mocha. “We just did!” I reassured her.
Elizabeth had been part of our former church and had babysat our sons. Now she is in the dementia ward of a long-term care home and sees it as a prison. Her prayer request is always: “I pray that God gives me a human male companion so I can live with him and get out of this place. If not, then God please take me to your heavenly home.”
I feel God has given me the assignment of loving and visiting her regularly, especially as she has no family who will visit. Our verse today tells us not to love only with words but with actions. It is easy to say we love someone. It takes God’s help to invest time and money into loving someone with our deeds.
Dear Lord God, please help me to love with my actions, not just my words.
Throughout this day: look for ways to show practical love to those around you. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you all that you need to fulfil his will.
Photo Credit: Hoi An and Da Nang Photographer on Unsplash