Step/Week 12, Day 4 – Give and Yes: Be a Loving Example
May 6, 2020 959
“Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions” (1 Jn. 3:18, TLB).
There’s a wise saying: “Actions speak louder than words”. I think it holds a lot of truth for those of us journeying along our road to recovery. One thing that struck me early on in my recovery, was seeing people who were living a recovered life. Meaningful words were helpful at the time, but they did not have the impact on me as a person who showed me an example of how to start progressing through the recovery process. Their actions spoke far louder than the words that they shared with me, and this is probably true for you as well, if you just take a moment to reflect on this.
I can tell my wife each day that I love her, and she will find that reassuring. My words do mean something to her, but if I show how much I love her by my actions (doing the washing-up, hoovering, sacrificing what I would like to do in favour of what she would want to do, etc.), then these actions are going to have a greater impact in her life, than just mere words would have.
Like in our verse for today, you can say you “love people” and that is all well and good, but to “really love”, you will need to “show it by [your] actions” (emphasis added). You were created a relational being. God showed you the extent He was willing to go to save you. His love for you compelled Him to send His Son, Jesus, to the cross. That’s amazing love! Do you see the love within the action of the Father and His Son?
You too, can be a shining example to someone who’s going through the recovery process. Your actions will show the extent of your love and care for them, the same love and care you received from God and others who journeyed with you on your recovery journey. Your love can make a difference to someone today, as you give back them what you’ve received earlier.
– Graham Hood
Personal Reflection: How can you show someone love today through your actions? What opportunity do you have to do this? Be an example of someone who has gone through the recovery process, so others can have hope that things can get better.
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