Thankful for the ability to LOVE.

I am thankful for the ability to love. I take it from granted. Love is a verb and I am so thankful and blessed to have people in my life who I really love. I love how each and every single one of my friends is unique and their "love language" is different. Each of them requires different kinds of love. I read a book called "The Five Love Languages" and it is SO good. It talks about how each person is different and the way they feel loved the most is different. When their "love tanks" are empty, speaking to them in their "love language" helps them feel loved. I love uniqueness. I love how Jesus can love us in a way that other people can't. I love how Jesus knows our hearts and knows what kind of love we need and then freely gives it to us.

I am wanting to know how to better love each and every one of my friends in a way that they really feel loved by me. I want to know how to better love you. Let me know how I can better love you.

The five love languages according to Gary Chapman are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.

• Words of Affirmation

  Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

• Quality Time

  In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your friend feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

• Receiving Gifts

  Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

• Acts of Service

  Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

• Physical Touch

  A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

Wow. I have friends in every single one of these. I cannot wait to try to love them more like Jesus would AND focus in on their "love language." If you know ME, you know that my love language is PHYSICAL TOUCH 100%. I love hugs, touching, holding hands, linking arms, etc. It is just something that what makes me, ME! :)

Feeling really loved is a great feeling, and I want all of my friends to know that I can never love you like Jesus can, but I sure am going to try to love you the best that I can.


Here's to trying to love more like Jesus!

Neely