Touchpoints of Love

Biblical love forms the foundation of a child's perspective and comprehension of giving and receiving of love (Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, "Growing Kids God's Way", Growing Families International, 2007, pp. 47 & 53). When biblical love is in the life of a child, he or she will not be held back by the shackles of self-love, self-interest, and self-protection --- for "biblical love looks outward, not inward; yet at the same time, it satisfies all the inner needs".

I agree with the Ezzos that it is important for parents to know each family member's love languages. People express love in different ways. For example, some children's primary love language is gift-giving, that is, they affirms love from others when they receive little gifts. Failure to recognise this form of love language often lead parents to interpret children's requests for buying things at shops and stores as a sign of abnormal materalism. My elder daughter often has such requests when we are out shopping, which on hind sight, could be her affirmation of our love when her requests are granted. It's not the things that she yearns for, but our "I-love-you"s!

Other children may interpret love through the spending of quality time with their parents, their parents' words of encourage, or simply an exchange of hugs and kisses. The Ezzos have this advice for all parents: "Knowing a child's language of love is critical to the developmental process and pave the way for understanding and communication in the teen years".

Jesus Himself had demonstrated love with different love languages. He showed His disciples love through the pouring out of His life to them --- coaching and praying for them. More significantly was His agape love for mankind, when He gave His life at the cross as a ransom to redeem us of our sins so as for us to receive God's blessing of eternal lives when we believe in Him.

Dear Jesus, thank you for this valuable lesson on the touchpoints of love. Love languages is God-given and can be learned. Teach us not only to speak the language of love to our loved ones and those around us, but also to receive graciously all the expressions of love from others. Amen.