The Look of Love

LOVING GOD MEANS OBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS.

Bible Reading of the Day: Read 1 John 5:1-5.

Verse of the Day: “This is love for God: to obey his commands” (1 John 5:3, NIV).

“Angela!” Mom stared into Angela’s bedroom with a shocked expression. “What have you done?”

Her daughter sat in the middle of her bedroom floor, smiling. “I cleaned my room!” Mom’s mouth hung open as she turned to take in the sight. Angela had picked up and dusted her room, and had even organized her closet and her desk.

“It looks beautiful,” Mom said. “I can even see the floor of your closet!” “Yup,” Angela answered. “You like it?” “I love it.” Mom hesitated. “But—” “But what?”

Mom’s eyes narrowed. “Why did you do all of this?” she asked suspiciously. Angela stood and walked to her mother. She smiled and gripped her mom in a hug. “Just because I love you,” she said. “No, really,” Mom answered.

Angela loosened her hug and stood away from her mother, looking hurt. “I did it because I love you, because I knew it would make you happy,” she insisted. “Don’t you believe me?”

Mom hesitated only a moment, then answered, “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I do believe you. I’m just so surprised.”

Angela shrugged her shoulders. “It’s like that Bible verse we read together yesterday.”

“Bible verse?”

“Yeah,” Angela said, “about how loving God means obeying his commands.” Mom smiled, remembering the verse. “Uh-huh,” she said. “So I thought if I cleaned my room I could show my love for God and for you—all at the same time.”

Mom nodded, and then a serious expression crossed her face. “That’s wonderful, Angela! But I need to give you another commandment.” Angela stopped smiling. “What?” she asked.

Mom’s face broke into a broad smile. “Thou shalt give thy mother another big hug!” she said.

TO DISCUSS: How can you show your love for God today? How can you help others in your family to show their love for God?

TO PRAY: “Lord, we love you. Help us show our love by obeying your commands.”