Working at it….
Have you all read the “5 love languages” book by Gary Chapman? (I highly recommend it, I read it the first time years ago and continue to reap the benefits of its wisdom.) My husband, Thom, and I found out that our love languages are a little different. He ranked quality time first and I ranked words of affirmation. Touch was second for both of us though and we supposed that was a good thing! We both ranked gifts last and service just above last.
okay… last summer Thom spent a lot of time painting the outside trim of our house. (I only helped him on one of the four weekends that he spent doing it, and then only for a few hours….was it my fault he picked weekends that I was busy? or that the temperature was in the 90′s?? Yes, I thought you would see it my way!) Also, unlike the lady in the “Love and Respect” videos, I didn’t sit outside and watch him do it either… which would have been quality time I suppose.
When he finally finished, he came into the kitchen and informed me that it was all done. To which I replied, “Great!” But I guess my response was not what he was hoping for… he looked at me and wistfully said, “Gee, I wish service was your love language.” Which made me laugh out loud and I told him I would work on it.
Ever since then we have looked for opportunities to do acts of service for one another..large and small things…out of a motivation of love. It is amazing how much it makes you appreciate one another simply by acknowledging that the other person didn’t have to do the dishes (or whatever) but that they did it because they love you! Of course, we are constantly saying to one another now (no matter which end of the giving/receiving we find ourselves on), “well, you know that service is my love language!”
Try on some of the other love languages…do it deliberately…do it because Jesus loves us in every one of them and we should be able to speak them all (and receive them all too!!) It is pretty fun I think.
Which one are you?
Quality Time? Acts of Service? Words of Affirmation? Gifts? Touch?
blessings,
Sheri
Touch and quality time are my two primary love languages while my hubby's are touch and acts of service. Thanks Sheri for the lovely blog. I will try some new love languages just as soon as I get over this sickness.
I'm a tie between words of affirmation and quality time while Michael definitely appreciates acts of service. Like you, Sheri, we both have the secondary language of touch. Right now, I am recovering from surgery and, I must admit, I am really appreciating the acts of service my generous hubby is giving me! I am meditating on some words of affirmation I can give him to express my love and appreciation! Thanks for the encouragement to try on some new languages!
Touch and quality time are my two primary love languages while my hubby's are touch and acts of service. Thanks Sheri for the lovely blog. I will try some new love languages just as soon as I get over this sickness.
I'm a tie between words of affirmation and quality time while Michael definitely appreciates acts of service. Like you, Sheri, we both have the secondary language of touch. Right now, I am recovering from surgery and, I must admit, I am really appreciating the acts of service my generous hubby is giving me! I am meditating on some words of affirmation I can give him to express my love and appreciation! Thanks for the encouragement to try on some new languages!
I think I'm somewhere between quality time and words of affirmation. But I'll take gifts any day!!!!!