‘Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. ‘ 1 John 4:7(NLT)
Do you know your partner’s love language? When I was courting Jo Beth prior to our marriage, we did not know the term, “love language.” I wish we had; but I could begin to see what outward expressions of love worked with her, and she began to understand how I received love. In his widely read book, The Five Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman has deciphered the language of love into these categories. They are:
1. Words of Affirmation
2. Quality Time
3. Receiving Gifts
4. Acts of Service
5. Physical Touch
Make it a point to find out what language your mate is speaking. Many times I see couples who are struggling in their marriage because they do not know how to interpret their partner’s love language. This language is easy to learn once you investigate it with your spouse. As an exercise today, ask your mate which of the five love languages speaks most clearly to him/her. Then begin to practice, practice, practice your spouse’s native love language. If you already know it, don’t forget that practice helps you become fluent!
Pray for the Lord to guide you in deciphering your partner’s love language. Ask for the Lord to help interpret and guide you in expressing love to your spouse in a language other than your own.
from Happy Marriage, Happy Home