Love Is An Action Word

If love were only a feeling, it would be unreliable. Feelings change. Love shouldn't

I’ve learned that love isn’t proven by how deeply you feel, but by how consistently you act.

Especially now, still basking in the euphoria of my birthday- I realize that what touched me most wasn’t the volume of love in one day, but the familiarity of it. The messages, the calls, the gestures didn’t feel sudden or performative. They felt familiar because they were rooted in something steady.

Love had already been showing up.

And the more I thought about it, the clearer it became: love has a way of revealing itself in patterns, not moments.

Love is intentional.

It doesn’t happen by accident. It chooses. It thinks ahead. It pays attention. Intentional love remembers what matters to you, considers your feelings before speaking, and makes decisions with care. It is love that says, “I thought about you,” and means it.

Love is consistent.

It doesn’t appear only on special occasions. It shows up on random Monday evenings like Nephertitti getting me ice-cream after her class, in quiet seasons, and in moments that no one else sees. Consistency is what makes love trustworthy. It’s what allows affection to grow into safety. Without consistency, love becomes noise- loud, but unreliable.

Love is present.

Not half-there. Not distracted. Not emotionally unavailable. Presence is staying engaged, listening fully, and being willing to sit in discomfort when necessary. It’s choosing to be there- not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Presence is love that doesn’t run when things get hard.

As I reflected on the people who love me this way, gratitude naturally followed. And it wasn’t just gratitude toward them, but toward God. Because when I think about the love that has surrounded me- steady, thoughtful, and sincere- I can’t help but give thanks. Certain people come to mind, and my heart responds with gratitude before I even realize it.

Anytime I think of you, I thank my God.

That kind of love doesn’t happen randomly. It reflects something deeper- something learned, cultivated, and sustained. It mirrors the way God loves: intentionally, consistently, and fully present.

The people who have loved me well have set standards for me- quietly but firmly. They’ve taught me that love should feel safe, not confusing. Stable, not uncertain. Rooted, not fleeting.

So yes, I’m grateful for the birthday messages.

But I’m even more grateful for the everyday love-the kind that shows up long before the celebration and remains long after it ends.

Love is an action word.

And I’m learning to recognize it by what it does.

How are you showing love?