Jen’s Gem: Love one another.
Years ago I watched a program where author Gary Chapman spoke about his book, “The Five Love Languages.” In this brilliant work, he describes the five ways that people prefer to give and receive love. Understanding these methods can transform relationships. So what are they?
- Words of affirmation.
- Quality time.
- Physical touch.
- Acts of service.
- Receiving gifts.
For me, acts of service reign supreme, both in the receiving and giving realms. Coming in at a close second are words of affirmation. While I certainly won’t turn down a gift (especially right now if it’s a car for my daughter!), quality time with loved ones, or a hug, I’d much rather have you do something for me or speak a kind word and vice versa.
By nature, I am an encourager. I love to discuss people’s dreams so that I can be their cheerleader. Alongside that, performing some action that will help them makes my heart sing. Perhaps it’s introducing them to an expert who can guide them through the details of their desires. Maybe it’s offering my writing, marketing, or tech skills to help them complete a task.
Traditionally, I do not decorate for Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend. I’m a “one holiday at a time” kinda gal. However, I will be having surgery on my hand next week and am unsure of my ability to do the physical labor required to bring in our holiday cheer. Therefore, I asked my son and daughter who is home visiting to help.
My son’s reaction was an eye roll as he despises this chore. When we were in our house, lugging the bins and boxes from the attic was time consuming yet not horrible. Now, with our holiday decorations in a storage unit at our condo complex, securing them is in a word – painful.
It involves multiple trips to and from the storage unit and a car. Then more trips to and from the car into the condo. Honestly, I dread it too and if I could, would gladly pay someone to do this.
This got me to thinking about how I show my love for my Father in heaven. What is His love language? Does He have a favorite? My conclusion is all of them are His favorite. Let’s unpack that a little bit.
- Words of affirmation.
- When we praise God and thank Him for all He has done for us and for who He is, this sets His heart aglow. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6 NKJV)
- Quality time.
- God wants us to spend time with Him. He can’t wait actually. “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6 NKJV)
- Physical touch.
- I realize this one is a stretch as God is not visible to us. Yet Jesus was all about touching people as He healed the lepers and the blind as well as hugged little children. Therefore we can conclude that if Jesus was “touchy feely,” so is His Father.
- Acts of service.
- Wooo eee! When we do things for other people, I believe God does the happy dance! “…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” (Matthew 25:35-36 NKJV)
- Receiving gifts.
- Again, we cannot hand God a physical gift but Jesus received a precious token from His dear friend. “Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” (John 12:3 NKJV)
You see, the only reason we have any kind of love language or are even able to love is because God loved us first (1 John 4:19 NKJV). He loved us so much, He created a beautiful planet for us to live on. He sent His Son to die for us so that we’d spend eternity in heaven with Him. This is the ultimate act of love.
This holiday season, let’s be mindful of the love languages of our loved ones. But more importantly, let’s tune in to the love of God and share that with others.