Love Languages

     Today at MOPS we talked about love languages.  Dr. Gary Chapman wrote The Five Love Languages.  The idea is that we all have a "love tank."  When we feel loved, our tank fills up; when we don't, it gets empty.  Different people feel love in ways.  We all know there are multiple, multiple languages that people speak all over the world.  There can be miscommunication if someone who is speaking English is trying to talk with someone who only speaks Japanese.  In the same way, just because you feel loved when someone gives you a gift, doesn't mean that those around you feel as loved when they get a gift.  Miscommunication can occur when two people speak different love languages.  By learning what your love language is and what the love languages of your spouse, children, and loved ones are, you can help one another to feel loved.
     So, for the next few days, we are going to look at the different love languages.  There are five: quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, and acts of service.  Each language has different dialects, so even if two people have the same language, they could speak it a little differently.  Like how Americans and Australians both speak English, but it can sound very different.  Today's language is quality time.  One way that quality time as a love language can be expressed is that someone would want a person to be around them- to be close.  They may not have to be doing the same activity, just be together. 
     Another way that quality time can be conveyed is that you may want to be engaged in quality conversation.  One person wants the other to actively listen and talk about feelings they have about situations in life.  This situation is about connecting and talking and understanding each other.  It is not about trying to fix whatever the problems might be.
     Thirdly, it could be that a person wants to do a quality activity together.  Maybe a puzzle or a game.  A person wants all of the attention when the activity is taking place.  This is not a time to multi-task.  Just DO the activity.  Don't try to watch TV and do the puzzle.  Just do the puzzle together.  It is a time to share an experience and to connect with one another. 
     Quality time is my main love language, so I like this one.  :-)  You would think that would mean it is super easy for me to speak.  And it is often times.  However, it is also one of my son's main one's too.  Sometimes though, I still don't get it right.  I sit at the computer as he asks me to play with him.  In the last few months, I have been trying really hard to actually making sure that I am filling his love tank.  I am getting better, not perfect, but better.  I want him to know that he is loved.
     As you read through the last few paragraphs, did you find yourself relating to any of them?  Do you think quality time might be your love language?  Or your spouses?  Or your kids?  Take some time and think about it.  Join me tomorrow for more on Love Languages.  Thanks for reading.  :-)