Choir Notes

It Was the Little Things

From Music and the Spoken Word

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Every love story is different. Whether it’s fictional or real, from our family history or our own lives, each story includes its share of heartaches and joys. Many are characterized by moving, poetic declarations of love and devotion. But the stories that stand the test of time are those that chronicle love in action: lived affection and demonstrated caring.

Russ and Valerie’s love story is just that kind of story. Throughout their many years together, Russ was always generous with compliments. He often told his sweetheart what he loved about her appearance, her cooking, her efforts, and her hard work. Russ found ways to make Valerie’s life easier. When he retired two years before she did, he prepared dinner every night so it was ready when she walked through the door. And although Russ was in intense pain during the last years of his life, he continued to find ways to show love. On holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, and just whenever he felt like it, he would give Valerie flowers, a little gift, or a handwritten note of love and appreciation. He was always thinking of her.

After nearly five decades of marriage, Russ passed away and left his sweetheart to reminisce on all of the laughter, love, and devotion they shared. Valerie said it this way: “Do I feel cherished? Oh, make no mistake—it was the little things, the thoughtful, sweet things that Russ did every day that showed me how blessed I am.”

The words of the Apostle Paul provide a time-honored description of authentic love, which Paul referred to as charity. “Charity,” he said, “suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not . . . , is not puffed up, . . . is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; . . . beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth."

All of these things are manifest in actions, not just in declarations. In the end, love is not something you say, it’s something you do—little by little, every day, year after year. This is the kind of love that never fails. 

1 1 Corinthians 13:4–8.