A Bible verse about love: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12 (NIV)

Joanna had been busy shopping for her son’s birthday party the following day. It was a cold and rainy day. Finally, when she returned home tired and exhausted she remembered she had left the balloons and cake at the grocery store in her hurry to get out.

She sighed and turned to go back out when her husband stopped her. He handed her a mug of her favorite coffee. “You’ve been on your feet all day. Let me take care of this and you relax. I already put dinner in the oven.”

Joanna accepted the warm coffee and smiled. As she watched her husband grab the umbrella and head back out, she couldn’t help but reflect on their early years as a married couple. She’d been frustrated that her husband said nothing more than the occasional, “I love you”. She really wanted to hear the words of affirmation from the man she loved.

One day Joanna shared her concern with an older lady in her church. The wise woman smiled and said that it might be possible that Joanna’s husband was expressing his love in different ways, perhaps through his actions rather than words.

Once Joanna started noticing that her husband liked to show he cared for her by doing things to help her around the house, like making dinner or taking out the garbage. Once she realized this, Joanna could hear him say, “I love you” in the way he helped her even without being asked. She felt blessed and thanked God for helping her to understand her husband and accept his way of showing affection.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for your unconditional love and care for me. Please help me to understand and appreciate the different ways in which my friends and family tell me that they love me. Help me to return their affection and demonstrate your love through the way I interact with them.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.