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I don’t remember last Valentine’s Day.

My husband and I were running on autopilot. The trouble began in August 2019 and dragged on until February 2020—surgery day. The love of my life faced multi-procedural cancer surgery and bladder removal. The last words the doctor said still ring in my ears: “We’ll do our best to bring him through this.”

My knees weakened as the elevator doors closed. I leaned against the wall and slowly slid to the floor. “Oh, Lord, Your will be done. Just help me understand. Just love him.”

I managed my way back to the waiting room where my sons and three couples of friends waited. It was an amazing thing, the sacrifice they made. Driving hours and flying in from other states to stand by us. What love.

Love is a hard word to define. It’s best defined by actions. When we see the action of love, it touches our hearts, digs into the soul. It sticks and defines into the meaning it needs to have.

As I waited for my husband’s life-saving surgery to complete, I looked around the room and saw the act of love in my friends. They’d come to make sure my boys and I were … loved. They selflessly stepped to the forefront, and their hearts burst forth. The love they felt solidified, and I felt it. They never left our side until they knew Tim was fine.

Paul did his best to make the Corinthians understand that love is more than a word. He emphasized that we can have amazing things to boast about, but if we do not ACT love, they mean nothing. The act of selfless love moves mountains. It does change lives. It’s the most effective love.

It’s not about the Valentine’s Day hoopla. It’s about the act of love. Examine those in your life who love without hesitation. Those who love using action to change things. The Father loves you without hesitation. He loves you fully. He loves you with the act of love.

Emulate God’s love ... and love.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)