Love Languages

Ok, I might be a day late with this topic, but the way I see it is love is an all year round thing, not just one day a year.  ;)

This morning, as I was preparing for a friend to come visit, I got to thinking about the different ways people love and how we prioritize our actions accordingly.  I wanted to have cookies and coffee ready for my friend, but there were a few areas of the house that needed picked up, as well.  I bit my lip as I thought about my dilemma and grabbed the ingredients to whip up a batch of cookies.  I did ask my kiddos to help clean up a bit, but I knew without me there to supervise it could be hit or miss.  I also knew that if my husband were home, he would have immediately started cleaning up those areas.  Was either of those choices the right choice?  No, Chris just shows his love to our guests by having a spotless house and I show mine by having some sweets available.  Honestly, it is a good combination when we have company!  We balance each other out...but, that's not the topic of this post.

The whole scenario made me wonder what makes my kids feel the most loved.  So, I decided to ask them.  John told me that he feels most loved when he is being read to.  That one actually kind of surprised me!  I think I can carve out some time to do that with him each and every day though.  Grace told me when people are nice to her is when she felt most loved.  I try to be nice to my kids, but I can probably work on that one...especially toward bed time.  Libby is an artist to the core.  She told me that doing art projects with her, or even just letting her do art projects is what makes her feel most loved.  Isn't it amazing how many different ways to love and feel loved there are?

It makes me smile when my husband helps me clean around the house (even though he told me I he wouldn't buy me a frosty) because I know that is his love language.  When he helps me clean he is telling me how much he loves me and that is how I have to TRY to tell him I love him.  I can make him a sweet dessert every day and it won't say I love you the way that a clean kitchen does.  I can make my kids sweet desserts, and they will ENJOY them, but it won't say as much as reading, being kind, and an art project does.

I love that God has made each of us unique and special!  I hope you will take the time to ask the special people in your life what most shows them that you love them, and that you will try to step out of your box and love them in their language.  :)