Abstract Love

“My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” I John 3:18

The story about a professor of psychology illustrates the difference between showing love and simply talking about it.

The man had no children of his own but, whenever he saw a neighbor scolding a child for some wrongdoing, he would say, “You should love your boy, not punish him.”

One hot summer day the professor was repairing his concrete driveway. Tired after several hours of work, he laid down the trowel, wiped the perspiration from his forehead, and started toward the house. Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a mischievous little boy putting his foot in the fresh cement. He rushed over, grabbed him, and was about to spank him when a neighbor leaned out his window and said, “Watch it, Professor! Don’t you remember? You must love the child!” At this, he yelled back furiously, “I do love him in the abstract, but not in the concrete!”

Love should not be an abstract or theoretical word but, rather, demonstrated “in deed and in truth.” Take the first step toward someone today to demonstrate your love!

PRAY: “Loving heavenly Father, You are my example when it comes to demonstrating love. Help me do a good deed or say a good word today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”