Love In the Diaper Aisle
1 Peter 1:22 — You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
The first time I ran into my pastor in public, I was pushing a shopping cart through Walmart like a madman.
I had a short list and was moving as fast as only a dad with a newborn can.
Sarah and I had just welcomed our baby girl, Reese.
Those first days were wonderful and exhausting, and suddenly, I had a profound interest in the price of diapers.
Then I looked up from my list and saw my pastor.
He lit up and asked how we were doing. Then he asked about the little one, too.
And he listened.
He acted like I was the most important person in the room.
We said goodbye, and I went home to the usual newborn festivities:
Bottles.
Diapers.
Crying.
Repeat.
Then my phone buzzed.
It was an Apple Pay notification from my pastor.
In the comments, he had written, “Hey David, it was great to see you. Congrats on your sweet girl. Love y’all!”
And underneath the message was a fifty-dollar gift.
Now, don’t get me wrong.
Fifty dollars goes a long way.
But that’s not what touched me the most.
It was that he didn’t have to send it.
He had already stopped.
He had already listened.
He had already filled my cup with care.
But he thought about us after we walked away.
And that meant something.
Boy, oh boy, that’s something.
Scripture tells us to love one another deeply, from the heart.
And that’s what I experienced that day.
Love that noticed.
Love that remembered.
Love that went the extra mile when it didn’t have to.
Sometimes love looks remarkably ordinary.
It looks like stopping in the frozen-food aisle at Walmart.
It looks like asking someone how they’re really doing.
It looks like remembering their name, checking in later, bringing dinner, sending a text, or simply letting someone know, “I’m thinking about you.”
But I want to encourage you today:
Don’t let love stop at the moment.
If someone crosses your path, pay attention.
If someone tells you they’re struggling, remember.
If someone needs encouragement, take the extra step.
Because a little bit of love can have remarkable power to say:
You are seen.
You are loved.
And you don’t have to carry this alone.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
- Can you remember a time when someone showed you unexpected love or kindness? What did that simple act mean to you?
- Who is someone God may be putting on your heart today that you could encourage with one small act of love?
- Do you tend to let moments of connection end when the conversation ends, or do you look for ways to follow up and continue showing care?
- What does “love each other deeply with all your heart” look like in your relationships right now?
- Is there someone in your life who needs to hear, “You are seen. You are loved. You don’t have to carry this alone”? What could you do to help them know it?
QUESTION TO CARRY WITH YOU TODAY
Who can I love a little more deeply today—not just with my words, but with one intentional act of kindness?
