A practical lesson of love

When I was in Krasnoiarsk, I visited the village Barhotovo, where I had a meeting with Christians and we did a Bible study. My teachers Mia and Costel Oglice taught them a lesson based on the first chapter from the Epistle of Paul to Ephesians, and we saw who we are and what is our position in Christ. In the end, one of the women asked how she could control herself not to talk in a loud voice to children whom she teaches. We tried to answer this question from the Holy Scriptures and while we were discussing the woman from the above picture, Sima, said testimonies from her life that proved how she manifested her love in practice.

Find out the needs of those you love

Mrs. Sima told us that she worked as a cook at the same school and she mentioned that she had a very nice relationship with all those over 200 pupils. I don’t know if she realized the value of what she said, but she said she knew the name of every child and teacher and what they liked to eat, how much to eat and she tried to preapare and to give them what they liked. When you love someone you take notice of his needs how to fulfill them. Knowledge also has a great importance in our relationship with God, whom we love as much as we know Him, as Apostle Paul said in the Epistle to Philippians:

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9–11)(NASB)

Fulfill the needs of those you love

When you love someone, it is not enough for you to know the needs of that certain person, but you want and you will try to fulfill those needs. This is the way Mrs. Sima acts, she doesn’t only know the needs of the pupils, but she also tries to fulfill that need, as she can do it. God, who is love, knew how great was our need for forgiveness and salvation from eternal punishment of hell.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)(NASB)

God didn’t only know, but He also sacrificed what was the most precious for Him to fulfill that need of people.

Love rebukes with affection

Mrs. Sima told us how once she saw Misca in the hall of the school. Misca was a pupil sent away from the lesson because he was disobedient. Then she called him in the kitchen, she fed him with tasty food and she asked him what had happened. After she found out, she told him: “Misca, I fed you with very tasty food today, but if you will not be obedient tomorrow at the lessons and I will see you on the hall, I will “invite” you here again and I have got here a belt, and you know how I am going to use it for you.” Misca nodded his head and he started to be obedient. This was a reproof made with love, it was appreciated and it had a positive effect.

Love is appreciated and valued

Mrs. Sima told us how once when she didn’t feel well, she had a headache, and children were noisy as always and no teachers could stop them. Mrs. Sima said to one of those boys that she had a headache. That boy told immediately to all those who were in the room and there was a silence that had never been while they were eating. Children appreciated Mrs. Sima’s love and they answered with the same kind of love and attention for her.

How is your love for those you say you love and care manifested?

Translated by Felicia Djugostran