Happy Mother’s Day to those who are celebrating.
And to those who have a difficult time celebrating for your personal reasons, my heart is with you.
This week I read a devotion from Proverbs31.org, it was titled ‘I love the way you’re loving me’. It really hit home for me.
I was having a conversation with a client, and I was explaining why I affirm her the way I do, and often. You see, I express my love by words of affirmation. My sweet client then took the time to ask me how I received love, as she sometimes knew that the way we expressed our love may not be the way we want love shown to us. I had to pause as I truly thought of her question to respond.
Fast forward a few days later, and I was reading this devotion. The author explained that she had 5 kids, and while she loved them equally, the way they each received love was different, and as a result, she had to take the time to do the thing that meant the most to each of them. She also observed that while God loves each of us, the way He shows us is very different for each of us.
Later that day, as I looked around my messy living room and wondering how I’d get it all done, I asked my daughter for help. Hmmm. She was a no. She felt as if she had already done enough, but instead, she wanted to play with me. I was tempted to get mad. Instead, I took a few deep breaths, and called her to come sit with me.
I asked her a question I had never thought to ask before.. ‘what do I do that makes you feel loved and cared for?’ Through tears (she thought she was in trouble), she explained that when I spend time, and played with her, and took care of her, she knew I loved her. Awesome! My sweet baby girl’s primary love language is time.. and I know from experience that she also loves gifts.. no matter how small.
I then posed the question in the reverse, along with the explanation. One of the ways I receive love is through acts of service.. especially during these times. I gently explained to her that while I loved to hear how much she loves me (she tells me often), she also needed to show me. She got it. She jumped right up and started helping me to clean.
By the way, it turned into a win for both of us. The more she served me, the more time I could spend playing with her.
Sweet mommas, have you ever considered the way your kids receive and give love, and vice versa?
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing love. Thank you that while you have so many children, you treat us as individuals and you know exactly how to show us love so that we may feel it. Help us to not look at the ways you care for others, but to specifically look for the ways you shower us with your love.
