Love you, Mean It

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:18

Our “love language” describes how we receive love from others. According to author Gary Chapman, there are five love languages. They are: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch. 

My primary love language is words of affirmation. Those who love me can do things for me, bring me gifts, spend time with me and give me lots of hugs, but if they never said things like, “Your friendship means the world to me.” Or “I appreciate what a great wife and mother you are,” I may begin to question if I was really loved. For me, it’s when I am affirmed that I feel the most loved.

Your primary love language may be different from mine, but we all desire to know that we are loved. It’s not enough, John writes, to merely say that we love each other. How are we demonstrating this truth? I think its good to know what makes other people feel loved so that we can best show our love in a way that is meaningful to them. 

Write a note and leave it where they will find it. Offer to mow the neighbor’s yard while you are mowing yours, pick some flowers for someone you love, take them out for coffee or a movie or give them a hug or a big high five. Love is an action word. If you love each other, show it. Put that truth into action.