Publisher’s Points to Ponder: Love is a Verb
A friend stopped by my office and brought me some homemade dark chocolate fudge with coconut and honey. Hmmm, so good. Her gesture made me think about the love my Olney friends have expressed to me since I’ve been here. I can’t name everyone who has lifted my spirits, but you all know who you are. My friends come through when I need them the most—especially when I was sick with “the illness that shall not be named.” Thinking about their expressions of love made me think about John Mayer’s song “Love is a Verb.” While many of us believe that when we tell people “we love them,” our words qualify as an expression of love. However, we can’t truly express our love by saying, “I love you.” Instead, we define our love by what we do.
Mayer sings, “Love is a verb, It ain’t a thing. It’s not something you own. It’s not something you scream. When you show me love, I don’t need your words… love ain’t a crutch…It ain’t an excuse…It ain’t a drug… so, you gotta show me that love is a verb.” (Click here to listen to it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBe3bgmdsAI)
I do not always see my friends in Olney every day. I don’t converse with them on the phone all the time. Now and then, we may meet for coffee at Hometown or bump into one another at Stewart’s Food Store. On occasion, we may share a meal at one of our homes. However, when I need my friends to show up, they rise to the occasion. And I am grateful for that.
Perhaps the same is true for you. When you do have that opportunity to spend time with your friends or loved ones, show them you love them instead of settling on the words “I love you.” A simple gesture will do. Your gesture does not need to have a price tag on it. I hear that the best gestures don’t cost a thing. I believe J-Lo said that “Love doesn’t cost a thing.” Now, for the challenge: On Valentine’s Day 2021, share with us how you expressed love with your actions instead of with the traditional cards, flowers and candy. Please post on our Facebook page or message us. www.Facebook.com/Olney-Enterprise.