Growing Love Through Kindness - Day 39 (Feb. 8, 2026)

My Sunday Reflection - Posted Monday - Another day for growing love through kindness.

Have you ever had a friend you always look forward to seeing—because being with them makes you feel loved, valued, and important?

That’s my friend, Judy Chapman.

I wish I had a photo to share. I don’t, so let me paint the picture. Judy is in her eighties, with thinning white hair and glasses. Her eyes are full of warmth, framed by crow’s-feet earned from tens of thousands of smiles. Whenever I’m with her, I feel it—care, appreciation, love.

Judy’s health isn’t great. She uses a walker and lives with daily pain. Still, when she can, she makes it to church. Her smile lights up the chapel.

Today, she wasn’t there—and I missed her. But I got so focused on teaching my class and helping others feel loved that Judy slipped my mind.

This afternoon, she called.

“We missed seeing your smiling face at church today,” I said.

“I got ready, but my ride didn’t show up,” she explained.

“Why didn’t you call me? I could’ve taken you.”

“Well,” she said gently, “you’re usually giving others rides, so I didn’t want to bother you.”

She was right. I often am. Today, though, I was free.

“I’m sorry, Judy. Is there anything I can do now?”

“Yes,” she said. “Could you bring me the sacrament—and give me a blessing?”

A couple of hours later, I went.

As always, being with Judy was a joy. I brought her the sacrament so she could renew her commitment to remember the Savior, Jesus Christ. Then, with another elder, we gave her a blessing.

Peace filled that home.

Judy is not far from Heaven. I left grateful—not just for the chance to serve, but that she trusted me enough to ask.

A simple action.

A simple service.

A moment where love quietly grew.

Kindness sown. Love grown.

The Love Tree - Day 39