It's always simple to show a little love
"I give you a new commandment: that you love one another."
- John 13:34 (AMP)
It's getting close to Valentine's Day. The stores are overflowing with gifts and mementos to show tangible acts of love. As I walked down the aisles, valentine cards caught my eye.
As I picked up various cards to read the sayings, I thought about the fun I had as a girl in school signing and passing out valentines to my classmates and friends.
Looking over the multitudes of cards, I noticed how some contained glitter on each letter, while others had velvet-like surfaces that soothed my sense as I rubbed my fingers across them.
For a moment, I felt funny looking at valentines - after all, I'm not a schoolgirl. However, I did something daring - I bought some!
Arriving home, I opened the package and sifted through the sparkling letters and velveteen hearts. I delighted in the sentiments on each. Then I placed my signature on the back of cards and stuffed them in small, white envelopes.
Next, I grabbed my address book and box of large, white envelopes and placed cards inside of them for my friends.
As I stuffed each envelope, I abandoned all thoughts of silliness and immaturity and delighted in the thought of letting someone know I cared.
Sometimes, what we think may be a silly sentiment can be tangible touch to another. Letting someone know we care about them can be fun and fulfilling at the same time.
Many people enjoy a touch of love. It doesn't have to cost much either. A simple red rose can let a sweetheart know he or she is loved. A note with one chocolate candy Kiss can send romance to new heights, especially when the alternative of giving nothing may have been all you could afford.
We don't always have to give diamonds. Jesus instructed us to give love. Love is multifaceted like a diamond.
Sometimes we give words of love and affirmations spoken from the heart. Other times, it's a gift or a sweet childlike sentiment. It's never silly or complex to love - it's pure and simple.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at (847) 543-8413 or Annetteebudzban@aol.com.