The love language of gifts and acts of service
Encouraging our children’s love languages – gifts and acts of service.
These are two very tangible and outward signs of showing and giving love to others: gifts and acts of service. These very practical and effective ways of showing love help people to figure out how to connect with each other.
Sound familiar?
Do you have a child or family member that loves birthday presents, surprise treats, earning a treat or having their favourite food made for them? This person’s love language might be strong in gifts. What about a person who likes it when people do nice things for them, helps with chores, school projects, driving places and making meals and snacks? This person’s love language might be strong in acts of service.
Finding ways to connect
As the year draws to a close, there are many opportunities for everyone to give and receive gifts and acts of service. We use them to thank those who have made contributions to our lives over the past year. And we also receive gifts during the season of Christmas, including the most precious gift – our Saviour Jesus, who came into this world as a baby.
Some ideas
These two love languages can be very visible but they don’t need to be big or expensive. There are some wonderfully simple ideas to encourage and connect with others through the means of giving gifts and acts of service. Keep a small stash of inexpensive gifts in a drawer for surprise moments. These can also be spontaneous gifts – a flower, a stone, a bunch of leaves tied up with ribbon. Leave a Bible verse near a bedside table.
Acts of service can also be quite simple and meaningful: joining in with children on a school project, doing ‘their’ chore, teaching them how to serve others by being involved in baking biscuits or making a meal. For children, knowing you’ll partner with them, can make a big connection difference!
We know that when we meet our child’s need for love we are helping to fill their love tank. God bless you as you grow, encourage and explore the different ways to connect with those in your family.
