Category: Faith

What’s your love language?

“Do everything in love” – 1 Corinthians 16:14

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4

Have you ever wondered what fills up your love tank? What are those little things that your significant other does that makes you happy? Just how often do you receive those loving gestures?

Earlier this year, I read “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. One thing that grabbed my attention to this book was how Gary described that we all have a primary and secondary love language. After reading through the entire book, I reflected on the two love languages that filled my love tank the most. I came to the conclusion that the chapters of Quality Time and Words of Affirmation described me the most out of the five love languages.  It doesn’t necessary mean the other three aren’t important to me, just that they aren’t the ways I wished to be expressed love.

Everyone expresses love differently, however sometimes your significant other won’t share the same love languages as you. If they don’t, IT’S OKAY. You simply have to put more time and effort on your part to show them they are loved in their respective love languages. If you both share at least one love language, then you might have just hit the love lottery.

Therefore, no matter what love languages you both are, do everything in love. There’s nothing greater in life than to be loved, whether its by our significant other,  our families, our children, or even our friends. Sometimes, we have to remember to be patient when expressing a love language that is opposite to our own and keep in mind that how our significant other feels is what matters most. It’s more rewarding in return. We have to love others as God loves us. Deeply and unconditionally.

Below I listed the five love languages and some of my favorite examples of each.

Quality Time: Growing up my parents would express their love towards me by taking me to the movies, grabbing ice cream together, or even a day trip to the lake to swim. Those are some of my most fondest childhood memories. Therefore, quality time is a must for me!

Examples:

  • Going to the park
  • Grabbing coffee together
  • Cuddling while watching movies
  • Trying new restaurants
  • Go on a day trip to the mountains

Words of Affirmation: I feel that is should be at least one of the two love languages everyone should have! Why? The more positivity spread around would make for a better world. I also tend to remember the nice things said towards me. 🙂

Examples:

  • “I love your smile.”
  • “I love spending time with you.”
  • “Your outfit looks great.”
  • “You make me so happy.”
  • “You’re doing a great job on your blog!”

Acts of Service: What can I say about this love language? Making one’s bed doesn’t speak romance to me. 🙂

Examples:

  • Make their bed.
  • Do the laundry for them.
  • Show up to their work with lunch.
  • Vacuum the house.
  • Put gas in their car.

Receiving Gifts: It’s always nice to receive gifts, but the only time I really enjoy them are during my birthday, Christmas, and special anniversaries.

Examples:

  • Make a scrapbook of your adventures together.
  • Send them flowers for no reason.
  • Pick up their favorite goodies at the grocery stop for movie night.
  • Bring them something from your vacation/trip.
  • Buy them a book/movie/ concert ticket/ etc they’ve been wanting.

Physical Touch: TBH I am an awkward hugger. Or was. LOL.

Examples:

  • Give them a hug.
  • Hold hands while walking together.
  • Kiss their cheek.
  • Rest your head on their shoulders.
  • Kiss their forehead.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and hopefully have learned a thing or two about love languages just as I have. Please comment, like or share!

Love,

Patty xo

Photo Location: OC Fair, California

Timing is perfect

Life falls into place according to God’s timing.

Location: Monterey, California

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,  declares the Lord, ”plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”” 

Are you currently waiting on something in your life? Perhaps you’re waiting on an acceptance letter for college. Maybe you’re waiting for the right one to come into your life. Maybe you’re simply just waiting for things to get better.

The point is we’re all waiting. Even when you think you’re not, there is always something we’re waiting to happen in our lives. No one knows how long the wait will be and that’s okay. It’s okay because things fall into place not according to our timing. Life falls into place according to God’s timing. It comes when you least expect it, when he sees that you’re living in the now, and not in the past nor future.  You have to enjoy the present, the future can wait. The past is in the past.

God has your future planned, you just have to trust his timing. Despite that being the hardest thing to do. Trust me, I would know. His blessings will come quietly into your life and gently tap you on the shoulder. All you simply have to do is say “Hey, there you are! I’ve been waiting for you.”

That one job you applied? It’s coming. That one relationship you’ve been praying for? It’s coming. That breakthrough in your life? YES. IT’S COMING. God’s timing is perfect, just wait and you’ll see.

The Desires of Your Heart

We have to trust that he always has our best interests at heart no matter how hard it is to believe it.

Location: Concord, NC

“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” -Psalms 37:4

Sometimes we have to align our desires with what God desires for our lives. This doesn’t always necessarily mean getting the desires we crave. Maybe that new promotion we were hoping for isn’t what God had in mind for us or maybe that new car isn’t what God says we need right now. However, we should search our hearts and talk to him about what exactly it is we do need. We have to trust that he always has our best interests at heart no matter how hard it is to believe it.

We all desire to be loved. Am I right? Maybe right now you’re contemplating why you aren’t married or let alone in a relationship. Perhaps God wants for you to love him and yourself before being able to love another person.

If you don’t love yourself, how can you expect that person to love you how you should be loved? And if you don’t love God, how do you expect him to bless you with a person beyond your expectations or wildest dreams? You’re a strong, independent, and loving person that will find your equal in due time.

The desires of our hearts will happen when we align with God’s desires. We long to be loved and often times forget we are loved, fully and unconditionally by God.  His love is sweeter. His love is eternal. His love is overflowing; it should always be overflowing the cups of our hearts.

 

Walking with God

We all have flaws; flaws that reach deep down to our core and try to break us.

Location: Sullivan’s Island, SC

“Come near to God and he will come near you.” -James 4:8

How is your walk with God today? Can you say that you talk to him daily? Or just when life gets in the way? Do you take daily walks with him? Or even sit down in front of him and have a quick cup of coffee?

No one is perfect, simply we are all perfectly imperfect. That is the true definition of Christianity. We all have flaws; flaws that reach deep down to our core and try to break us. The hardest thing to do is following God, especially when we are hurting, angry, or even happy.  Yes, happy. Why? Sometimes, we forget to praise him when everything is going well in our lives.

He wants to know all of what makes you happy, and not just the negativity surrounding you. Maybe you just got promoted, maybe you just had a breakup, or maybe you currently have a peace of mind. Regardless of what it is, God just wants you to talk to him about your day. So take that stroll in the park with him or call him up for a quick cup of coffee. Wherever it is. Just know, he’s listening. He’s always ready to listen.

So, what are you waiting for?