Valentine’s Day is just around the corner — a time to show some love to those nearest and dearest.

As I anticipate the one day out of the year dedicated to celebrating my loved ones, I’m reminded of the people who loved me first. Topping that list are my mother, father, and grandmother who were wonderful God-fearing influences. Simply put, they taught me right from wrong, and instilled the importance of treating everyone like I wanted to be treated, as they lived out their love for me by treating me well.

An important lesson in showing me how to love others was taught as my parents showed me how to live in harmony with my own brothers and sisters. The “Golden Rule” was my parents’ blueprint for how we should treat one another. Although we often fell short of meeting that standard, we were taught a pretty simple lesson that we could live by if we chose to.

My wonderful mother often said, “actions speak louder than words,” so as I’ve formed relationships throughout my life, I always gauged a person’s feelings for me by their actions toward me. If someone said that they loved me, but they never made a sacrifice for me, or they never gave me anything that brought me joy, or they neglected to spend time with me, I wasn’t convinced of their “love.” And as I’ve grown older, I’ve seen some peoples’ love wax cold as the Bible predicts. It also says that people will be lovers of themselves.

There’s a young believer that I know who thinks it’s the most amazing thing that Jesus loves those who don’t even love Him or acknowledge that He is the Savior of the World. When I think about it, that is pretty mind boggling! Yet, the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)

Today Jesus sits at the Right Hand of the Father making intercession for those who believe in Him…Now, that’s Love!