Belka, have you any contribution? I would like to hear some things you do to show love or some things you have noticed others doing. 🙂 I think you probably have some great things to add to the list, Sister. 💜💙❤️
EliBeth! So good to "see" you again
And wow, you sound like an amazing person with an amazing family, haha. I would have loved to be your friend IRL.
Thanks for sharing all those with us.
As for me, honestly
@love_comes_softly 's list is pretty much it! That's also what I do. (high five, sister)
But the way I express love depends on if I'm interacting with a believer or not, as well.
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If they're in Christ, I will generally be more open with them in my expression and find it easier to tell them "I love you" and hug them, and also send them Bible verses / pictures or encouraging words. Depends on how close I am with them of course (it's not automatic).
With some, it's immediate, and it takes them aback a little bit. For instance, there's a brother in the church I go to, and I just LOVE his mom, like I can't even explain why, I loved her pretty much immediately upon meeting her. We saw each other for the first time at their place for dinner, and after that dinner I gave her a big hug and told her I love her. Mind you, we barely even interacted with each other. She seemed super surprised but also really delighted in my spontaneous love confession (lol) but that's the kind of thing that happens to me fairly often.
I believe it's love from the Holy Spirit towards His people, it is really supernatural and divine and happens very fast. I am not sure why I don't experience it with every single believer in that same way, though. Like, I love all my brothers and sisters in Christ, but with some, it's a different level. Does that make sense? And it doesn't have anything to do with how much I know them or anything like that. Just an immediate strong love. Eh, it's hard to explain.
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If they're not in Christ, I find it more difficult to be that openly affectionate. Probably because I (wrongly?) assume they won't really understand that kind of affection and love I have for them and I don't want them to think the wrong thing (something like, I like them more than a friend, or whatever).
To be honest, I still find it tricky to express love to others in many situations. I have a lot of love to give but I am also quite reserved and don't want to make others uncomfortable, or make them assume things that are wrong about my intentions (even with fellow Christians).
Generally though, I share my love verbally and through the written word, by telling them how amazing they are and how much I love them and how much God loves them, etc. I also love writing people encouraging notes / letters and giving them little gifts (if I know their taste a little bit). And if they're comfortable with physical touch, I love hugging them and just gently rubbing their back or shoulders, etc. as a sign of affection.
Sometimes I offer to pay for their meal / drink / whatever and I have also happened to pay for more expensive things before, like paying part of a plane ticket or just sending money to help for whatever reason. Right now that's a little more difficult since I'm unemployed but I do offer generosity to others when I can.
Cleaning up after others / serving them is also a way I show love but that's something I would do regardless of the situation, so it's less personal, if you will.
If I enjoyed cooking, I would probably cook for others, too. But alas, that's one area I am really not good at, lol.
And like love_comes_softly mentioned, I smile a lot in my interactions with others and try to actively listen and be present with them. It's a challenge with my family members sometimes but it's a work in progress. : )
With strangers, I sometimes smile at them and if I'm feeling bold, compliment them on something I notice. It's not as culturally acceptable here in Western Europe though, so it's not as easy to do as in the States. When I'm in the States, I'm like "Hey! I really like your hair! Jesus loves you! Have a great day!" LOL.
Bahhh, such a long post...
**gives you a medal (made of chocolate and edible confetti) if you've read this far** 
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