Are you familiar with The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman?
Our daughter barged into our bedroom after we turned in for the night. “Mom. We had to take an online assessment for work to learn our love language. Have you heard of it?” Before I could answer, she said, “Let me tell you mine.”
By now I was wide awake. I lifted my hand. “Wait. Stop. Let me tell you.”
My daughter asked, “What’s my number one?”
“Quality time.”
“How did you know?”
“Mom. Do this with me.” “Mom. Go here with me.” “Mom. Watch this TV show with me.”
“Oh, yeah. I did that didn’t I.”
My son’s love language is also quality time, and our oldest daughter’s is physical touch. She takes after Kenn.
I’m the odd one in the family. Although I’ve known my number one love language for many years, I was curious to find out how the other four love languages rated. I took the online assessment and found it accurate. My highest score was a nine and my lowest a one.
No surprise with my lowest score. Receiving gifts. There are people who love to buy gifts for others and receive them too. I’m at a loss when I shop for birthdays, Christmas, or special occasions. I’m thankful there’s no one in my family whose love language is receiving gifts, or I would have messed them up for life. I enjoy gifts, but I don’t need them to feel loved and appreciated.
Once when Kenn gave me a bouquet, I scolded him. We couldn’t afford flowers. I told him that one rose or carnation said, “I love you.” No need for a dozen.
The way to show me your love and appreciation is by doing acts of service. Not only would I rather have a new vacuum over a dozen roses, but I want my husband or family member to vacuum the rugs for me too. “I’ll do that for you,” is music to my ears. When others make more work for me by leaving personal items around the house, that tells me they don’t care (not Kenn).
Earlier this month, I read a blog written by Jeanne Doyon. She reviewed the book Dare to See—Discovering God in the Everyday by Katie Brown. Her blog post may be found here: https://jeannedoyon.com/dare-to-see-by-katie-brown-review-and-a-giveaway/.
She asked, “How have you seen God in your everyday?”
My response: “I see God in my husband. He blesses me by showing his love through my love language. In return, I love him through sharing his.” You may check out her reply by using the link above.
A little mushy? Maybe. But so true. We’ve learned how important our love languages are to one another.
How about you? Do you know your love language? The love language of your spouse or children? In addition to the four mentioned above, words of affirmation is another love language. Check out this site for more information: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/.
Photo by Cherry Laithang - Unsplash