Each year, the Christian school I teach at has a community service day. One year, a fellow teacher and I took the junior high girls to visit two nursing homes. In the morning, the girls made cards and colored pictures with Bible verses, which they mounted on cardstock. We also had small potted flowers that we put into Styrofoam cups for the residents.
Although a few girls were skeptical of the outing, they were touched by the experience. We visited several residents who could not even leave their beds. As the girls crowded into residents’ rooms to give their gifts and sing a verse of “Amazing Grace” or “Jesus Loves Me,” several residents expressed gratefulness.
One resident said, “This is the best thing that has ever happened to me!” Another teared up after the girls sang “Jesus Loves Me,” saying, “You are going to make me cry. You need to go down the hall and do this for my friend. She has arthritis and cannot move much.” Another woman told the girls, “Thank you! You know, that is the first song I ever learned as a little girl.”
Soon, the girls were asking questions I had suggested to them that morning to get to know the residents better. At one point, they even went back into one room to sing a second song for two ladies who started singing to each other after the girls left the room.
As we crowded on an elevator at the end of the outing, one girl said to another, “I want to come back here!” And the others agreed. They had seen people suffering and how much a simple visit meant to them. They had discovered the joy of serving “the least of these” in this way.
Loving Christ by Loving Others
Since Jesus is not someone we can touch, hug, prepare a meal for, or even buy gifts for, how can we express our love for Him? According to Jesus, we show our love for Him by serving other people. Jesus counts our service to others as service done to Him. He says,
“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” –Matthew 25:40
When we extend kindness to someone, we are extending kindness to Christ. When we visit those in nursing homes confined to their beds or one building, we encourage God’s heart. As we think about celebrating love this February, let us consider some practical ways to show love to others.
Practicing Love
- Pray for people in your line of sight. Years ago, I heard Joni Eareckson Tada’s testimony of how she met her husband. Joni, who has been quadriplegic for most of her life, sometimes prays for people she sees in a church service. On Sunday, she noticed the back of one man’s head, and she started praying for him. Later, she met this man (Ken Tada) at another event, and said, “I recognize the back of your head!” That was the start of their relationship. When I heard this testimony, it challenged me to pray for people I see—even if I do not know them personally. It is one way that we can love the people around us—whether or not they ever know about it.
- Write an encouraging note. Everyone needs encouragement. The single mom getting her children up and to church by herself. The married couple navigating marriage. The moms and dads trying to parent well. The widow struggling with purpose. The widower struggling with loneliness. The single navigating life alone. The pastoral staff. The wives and children of the church staff. Bosses. Coworkers. All have challenges to navigate and overcome. Writing a note of encouragement can touch their hearts and let them know someone sees them.
- Give a thoughtful gift. Who plows the snow out of the church parking lot? Who mows the church lawn in the summer? Does someone in your church drive a van or bus to pick up people who do not have transportation? Maybe these servants would appreciate a gift card to a coffee shop so they have a warm (or cold) drink as they do this important work. Or, give small gifts just for fun. Around Valentine’s Day, I enjoy getting a bouquet of roses to give out. One year, I bought roses for some teenage girls at church. Since I had leftover roses, I wandered around the church giving roses to both single and married women I came across. It was so much fun!
- Spend quality time with someone. Is there a single parent who has shared custody? Consider inviting the single parent for coffee or a meal on a weekend the children are away—especially during holidays. Have you noticed children or teenagers who could use encouragement? A woman might host a tea party for girls to spend time with them. Or, a man might organize time to do something active with young men—playing outside or teaching skills like home or car repair. Meeting small needs through gifts, quality time, or acts of service can make people feel seen and loved by God Himself.
- Be friendly! Everyone needs connection. A smile. A kind word. It does not matter if it is our server at a restaurant, the person in the church pew behind us, or the checker at the grocery store—all people need the love of God. So offer a smile. If you have the opportunity, go beyond “How are you?” to “What is something that made you smile this week?” or, “What is something you are looking forward to this week?” Show God’s love by showing interest in the lives of others.
The Calling of Love
There are so many ways we can pour out our love on other people. As we do so, our hearts are drawn closer to Christ. Our love for Him grows, and we find increasing satisfaction and joy. The apostle John reminds us,
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” –1 John 4:10–11
Copyright © 2026 by Carmen Dillon. All rights reserved.
Share:
Many wonderful practical ideas here. ‘Love’ is a noun AND a verb. Thanks for bringing that truth to light.
So true! Thank you!