We all receive love in one or more ways: physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service impact each of us in varying degrees. The five love languages don’t limit how the Lord demonstrates his love to us, but he has created us to receive his love unique to each of us. No doubt, you can remember moments of consolation where he spoke love to you profoundly; more than likely, you received that love in your language. What would happen in our families if we united our passion for each other with God’s love for us in our conversations by speaking each other’s language? This month, let’s consider the first of the five languages to discover how we can help our children develop emotionally and spiritually.
Everyone needs physical contact, but love shouts through touch when our primary love language is physical touch. Some children just light up when they receive physical touch. Two of our grandchildren always sit extra close rather than far away; they are quick to cuddle and stroke their parents. Now, how can we draw them into feeling God’s love? With this in mind, let’s consider how to teach our children how God loves them uniquely. Consider reading or telling this beautiful account of Jesus and the children while you rock them or sit close to them. Perhaps a good time would be at bedtime when you can rub their back or stroke their arms as they lie listening to you.
People were bringing little children to him so that he might touch them, and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “” Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Honestly, I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.””And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
(Mark 10:13-16)
Some questions to ask her:
What part of that story did you like best?
If you were Jesus, how do you think you’d feel when you got to hug the children?
If you were one of the children, what would you like best: Jesus holding you, Jesus placing his hands on your head, or hearing Jesus say nice things about you?
A Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for always holding us safe in your arms even though we can’t see you. ~Amen
You may even encourage your physical lovers to kiss the crucifixes and Bibles in your home as a way for them to love God in their language. You could purchase a cross-shaped pillow for them to hug as they sleep at night (Etsy is a great resource) to remind them of Jesus’ love for them.
The teen years can be tumultuous because our children are at loose ends about who they are and their place in the world. These are prime years for them to learn of God’s unfailing love for them, and we are the ones to model that love (even when we like to send them back to the cabbage patch!) One of our teenage grandchildren who “speaks” physical touch visibly softens when she is touched. Her parents are diligently training her strong will in these hormone-driven years. How can we draw her into feeling God for her when we are in a conflict? Tenderly speaking words of understanding coupled with an embrace (even though her attitude may bristle) or a touch on the shoulder may reach her better than any lecture.
Consider this passage from St. Matthew 23: 37 Jesus said, “”Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
Some thoughts to share with her as you stroke her arm or rub her back:
I know you are angry, and I understand how frustrated you may feel about [ ]. You aren’t the first person to feel that way; Jesus was angry and saddened by people’s behaviors and choices, he once told them he desired to gather them into his arms like a hen gathered chicks under her wing, but they were unwilling to let him. I believe Jesus wants to gather you into his arms and hold you close as you tell him what you are angry about. Would you be willing to let me hold you like Jesus wants to hold you?
A prayer:
Jesus, I love [ ] so very much, but I know you love her even more than I do. Please help us calmly share our feelings about what is happening. Would you draw us into your arms and shelter us from hurting each other with our words?
The Lord instructed us to train up our children in the way they are destined to go. When they are old, they will not depart from it (adapted Proverbs 22:6). When we love our children the way they are created to receive love, we ensure they will receive the Lord’s love more readily as they mature in their faith.
Recommended Reading:
The 5 Love Languages of Children and/or The 5 Love Languages of Teens by Gary Chapman