The best part of my day was the first part of my day -- the Easter Sunday service at my church. Every aspect of the worship service was designed to point the congregation to Jesus Christ: Son of God, long-awaited Messiah, and Risen Savior.
While Google chose to highlight Cesar Chavez's 86th birthday today with a coveted Google doodle, more than two billion Christians worldwide celebrated Jesus' resurrection and victory over death as evidenced by the wonder of the empty tomb.
An empty tomb, with the large, heavy stone rolled away from the opening to the tomb . . . now that would have been the perfect doodle for this Easter Sunday.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
We dodged a bullet
G had a face-to-face meeting with his boss today. Some of you might be thinking, "So, what's the big deal? Doesn't everyone have these kinds of meetings once a week or so?" Well, G doesn't -- mostly because he works from our home in the western suburbs of Chicago and his boss works from an office in Massachusetts.
When G told me that his boss wanted to have a meeting with him, I asked him when he would be flying to MA. I was really surprised when he said that he was going to meet R at a nearby restaurant at three o'clock this afternoon. Normally G sees his boss once, maybe twice per year, and he had already seen R about two months ago. So it was highly unusual for R to call up this morning and ask if they could get together this afternoon. Who knew that R was in the Chicago area? Not G, that's for sure.
Immediately my radar that seeks out trouble and disaster was on high alert. R claimed that he was in the area to visit some clients. Why wouldn't he ask G to go with him to make these customer calls? What did he really want to talk to about? What if he had come all this way to tell G to his face that he was fired? I really have a talent for jumping to the worst possible, unfounded conclusions.
G left for the meeting and he didn't come back for TWO AND A HALF HOURS. I'm sure you can imagine the thoughts that went through my mind during that time. Fortunately most of my thoughts were directed to God, in prayer. I told Him over and over that I trusted Him and I tried to remember other times when we had faced trials or uncertainty and He had seen us through. I thought of six friends whose husbands/boyfriend had lost their jobs. In the most extreme case it was three years before one of the men found a job, but in every situation, God was faithful to provide for their basic needs. If the worst was to happen, I was confident that God would provide for us as well.
Finally G came home and we talked about what his boss had to say. Thankfully he did not say, "You're fired." He didn't even say that G was on "double secret probation." They talked about some miscommunication that had occurred on both of their parts and how they needed to avoid that going forward. They talked about teamwork and team and individual goals. They talked about a lot of the things they should have talked about two months ago when R gave G a less than stellar performance review. Because of this meeting, G has a much better idea of what his boss expects from him and R has a better idea of how G approaches his work responsibilities and where his talents and passions best fit into the overall mission of the team.
In the end, it didn't take something as horrible as G losing his job for me to see how God is faithful to provide. As I've written this post, I have been struck at how God provided, even in the midst of G's meeting today. The Lord enabled G to calmly discuss an emotional and confrontational issue with his boss. He provided G with the humility to admit to instances where he could have done better and He provided G with the strength of his convictions to respectfully defend himself in instances where he was in the right as to the approach he had taken. Ultimately God provided G with the opportunity to address and resolve a medium-sized issue before it blew up into a super huge conflict.
God is good.
When G told me that his boss wanted to have a meeting with him, I asked him when he would be flying to MA. I was really surprised when he said that he was going to meet R at a nearby restaurant at three o'clock this afternoon. Normally G sees his boss once, maybe twice per year, and he had already seen R about two months ago. So it was highly unusual for R to call up this morning and ask if they could get together this afternoon. Who knew that R was in the Chicago area? Not G, that's for sure.
Immediately my radar that seeks out trouble and disaster was on high alert. R claimed that he was in the area to visit some clients. Why wouldn't he ask G to go with him to make these customer calls? What did he really want to talk to about? What if he had come all this way to tell G to his face that he was fired? I really have a talent for jumping to the worst possible, unfounded conclusions.
G left for the meeting and he didn't come back for TWO AND A HALF HOURS. I'm sure you can imagine the thoughts that went through my mind during that time. Fortunately most of my thoughts were directed to God, in prayer. I told Him over and over that I trusted Him and I tried to remember other times when we had faced trials or uncertainty and He had seen us through. I thought of six friends whose husbands/boyfriend had lost their jobs. In the most extreme case it was three years before one of the men found a job, but in every situation, God was faithful to provide for their basic needs. If the worst was to happen, I was confident that God would provide for us as well.
Finally G came home and we talked about what his boss had to say. Thankfully he did not say, "You're fired." He didn't even say that G was on "double secret probation." They talked about some miscommunication that had occurred on both of their parts and how they needed to avoid that going forward. They talked about teamwork and team and individual goals. They talked about a lot of the things they should have talked about two months ago when R gave G a less than stellar performance review. Because of this meeting, G has a much better idea of what his boss expects from him and R has a better idea of how G approaches his work responsibilities and where his talents and passions best fit into the overall mission of the team.
In the end, it didn't take something as horrible as G losing his job for me to see how God is faithful to provide. As I've written this post, I have been struck at how God provided, even in the midst of G's meeting today. The Lord enabled G to calmly discuss an emotional and confrontational issue with his boss. He provided G with the humility to admit to instances where he could have done better and He provided G with the strength of his convictions to respectfully defend himself in instances where he was in the right as to the approach he had taken. Ultimately God provided G with the opportunity to address and resolve a medium-sized issue before it blew up into a super huge conflict.
God is good.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Music Monday
Tonight a friend texted to say that her father had suffered a massive heart attack. Mr. H is in surgery right now. At 91 years old, I don't know what his prognosis might be, but I do know that he knows and loves the LORD, as does my friend.
This is one of my favorite hymns of comfort. My friend loves classical music and sings in the choir at her church. I would imagine that she knows this hymn and would find it comforting in this uncertain time. I have chosen it as one the hymns I would like to have played at my memorial service. I hope you remember, E.
This is one of my favorite hymns of comfort. My friend loves classical music and sings in the choir at her church. I would imagine that she knows this hymn and would find it comforting in this uncertain time. I have chosen it as one the hymns I would like to have played at my memorial service. I hope you remember, E.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Thankful
And you thought I was only thankful on Thursdays -- ha!
E and N are in West Lafayette after the long drive from Virginia. Tomorrow afternoon N will defend his doctoral dissertation. I know he will make a great presentation and be more than able to answer any questions that his committee will ask.
It has been a long and challenging journey to reach this point -- some students might have been inclined to give up -- but N has persevered and now he is poised to finish strong as he approaches the finish line. I know how proud I am of him and I can only imagine how proud his father must be. I wish his mom was here to express her love and pride and to share in the joy of his accomplishment. Hopefully, at some point, N will be able to reflect on the role his mother played in nurturing and guiding him to this important moment.
So N, I am thankful for you -- for your determination, integrity, scholarship, and faith. I am proud to call you my son-in-law and my friend.
E and N are in West Lafayette after the long drive from Virginia. Tomorrow afternoon N will defend his doctoral dissertation. I know he will make a great presentation and be more than able to answer any questions that his committee will ask.
It has been a long and challenging journey to reach this point -- some students might have been inclined to give up -- but N has persevered and now he is poised to finish strong as he approaches the finish line. I know how proud I am of him and I can only imagine how proud his father must be. I wish his mom was here to express her love and pride and to share in the joy of his accomplishment. Hopefully, at some point, N will be able to reflect on the role his mother played in nurturing and guiding him to this important moment.
So N, I am thankful for you -- for your determination, integrity, scholarship, and faith. I am proud to call you my son-in-law and my friend.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Music Monday
A new music video from Beyonce was leaked recently. The title of her latest, sure to be a hit, song is Bow Down. In the song, Beyonce tells her competition to "Bow down, b*tches." Apparently she wants everyone to know that she's more than just Jay-Z's wife and Blue Ivy's mom -- she's still the great Beyonce (and her alter-ego, Sasha Fierce).
Something, actually lots of things, about the video rubbed me the wrong way. I mean really rubbed me the wrong way -- in much the same was that the older IBM commercials that used the tagline "I Am" bugged me. Beyonce telling everyone to bow down to her seemed to me to be like giving the middle finger to the only one who has the right to demand that mankind bow down to Him in worship and reverence.
Beyonce may think she is the ultimate female artist. She may even think she is the greatest woman/human on the planet. But God's word tells us that the day is coming, and coming soon, when, "at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil 2:11
When K was a little girl, she loved the woman who sings this song, Twila Paris. Life for K and all of us was a lot simpler then. But then, as now, Jesus is worthy of our worship and our praise, and He is the only one to whom we should bow down.
Something, actually lots of things, about the video rubbed me the wrong way. I mean really rubbed me the wrong way -- in much the same was that the older IBM commercials that used the tagline "I Am" bugged me. Beyonce telling everyone to bow down to her seemed to me to be like giving the middle finger to the only one who has the right to demand that mankind bow down to Him in worship and reverence.
Beyonce may think she is the ultimate female artist. She may even think she is the greatest woman/human on the planet. But God's word tells us that the day is coming, and coming soon, when, "at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil 2:11
When K was a little girl, she loved the woman who sings this song, Twila Paris. Life for K and all of us was a lot simpler then. But then, as now, Jesus is worthy of our worship and our praise, and He is the only one to whom we should bow down.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Ugh
Whenever I make the mistake of watching Gypsy Sisters, I feel like I need to wash out my eyes and ears with bleach. Seriously, this show cannot be for real. No way. It is even worse than the proverbial train wreck that you know you shouldn't look at, but somehow you just can't turn away.
I can't imagine that these women don't mind half of America seeing them dressed like hookers and swearing like sailors . . . and that's an insult to hookers and sailors. I'm pretty sure hookers these days are better dressed and even the most hardened sailor couldn't possibly use the F-word as much as these Gypsy sisters do. It amazes me the things that come out of their mouths -- especially with their little, preschool-aged children right in front of them, taking in every filthy, profane word.
Unbelievable. And even more unbelievable? I'm stupid enough to watch this debacle.
Ugh.
I can't imagine that these women don't mind half of America seeing them dressed like hookers and swearing like sailors . . . and that's an insult to hookers and sailors. I'm pretty sure hookers these days are better dressed and even the most hardened sailor couldn't possibly use the F-word as much as these Gypsy sisters do. It amazes me the things that come out of their mouths -- especially with their little, preschool-aged children right in front of them, taking in every filthy, profane word.
Unbelievable. And even more unbelievable? I'm stupid enough to watch this debacle.
Ugh.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Not feeling it
Next week the NCAA men's basketball tournament -- March Madness -- begins. I'm just not feeling it.
I think mostly my apathy has to do with the fact that Purdue won't be "dancing." But I also think some of my ennui has to do with the change that college basketball has undergone over the years. I'm sure there have always been players who weren't academically qualified to attend college, but someone in admissions bent the rules a little bit so they could get in. Or maybe a few subtle, but crucial, alterations were made to a high school transcript or entrance exam to boost a sub-par GPA. It happens. It's just that now, it seems like it happens all the time, right and left, everywhere you look.
College athletes these days, in the marquee, big moneymaking sports, don't even make much of an attempt to disguise the fact that a year or two at Ole State U is just a speed bump in the road to their professional sports career. One football player at THE Ohio State University actually tweeted that he didn't understand why anyone expected him to attend class. Before his Twitter account was shut down, he tweeted that classes were a waste of time, that that wasn't why he was at OSU (where else?), and that wasn't what "they" were paying him to do. Hello, NCAA Committee on Infractions? Do you still have some hotels in Columbus on speed dial? You might want to come back to the Buckeye State and start another investigation of this stellar institution of higher education.
I guess I'm showing my age when I reminisce about the "old days" when players competed for the love of the sport and the honor of their school, when student athletes were actually students, and when college coaches weren't paid a higher salary than the President of the United States and even some coaches in the professional sports arena.
The big dance starts next week, but I think I'm going to sit this one out.
I think mostly my apathy has to do with the fact that Purdue won't be "dancing." But I also think some of my ennui has to do with the change that college basketball has undergone over the years. I'm sure there have always been players who weren't academically qualified to attend college, but someone in admissions bent the rules a little bit so they could get in. Or maybe a few subtle, but crucial, alterations were made to a high school transcript or entrance exam to boost a sub-par GPA. It happens. It's just that now, it seems like it happens all the time, right and left, everywhere you look.
College athletes these days, in the marquee, big moneymaking sports, don't even make much of an attempt to disguise the fact that a year or two at Ole State U is just a speed bump in the road to their professional sports career. One football player at THE Ohio State University actually tweeted that he didn't understand why anyone expected him to attend class. Before his Twitter account was shut down, he tweeted that classes were a waste of time, that that wasn't why he was at OSU (where else?), and that wasn't what "they" were paying him to do. Hello, NCAA Committee on Infractions? Do you still have some hotels in Columbus on speed dial? You might want to come back to the Buckeye State and start another investigation of this stellar institution of higher education.
I guess I'm showing my age when I reminisce about the "old days" when players competed for the love of the sport and the honor of their school, when student athletes were actually students, and when college coaches weren't paid a higher salary than the President of the United States and even some coaches in the professional sports arena.
The big dance starts next week, but I think I'm going to sit this one out.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Music Monday
MTV used to play this video all the time. H*ll, MTV used to play music videos. That was a long time ago.
Anyway, I think this song is incredibly haunting and the video just adds another layer to the music and lyrics. The guitar is incredible. For some reason the song reminds me of the television show, Twin Peaks. After some research, I discovered Wicked Game was used for another David Lynch production, a movie, Wild at Heart.
I love how the billowing clouds mimic massive waves crashing on a beach. The video was filmed in black and white on a black sand beach in Hawaii. While I wouldn't mind being Helena Christensen on that beach with Chris Isaak, I wouldn't want to have those black grains of sand all over my face and the rest of my body. I guess that, among other reasons, is why I was never a model or music video star. Ha!
There is definitely an overt sexuality (was Christensen a Victoria's Secret model? Yes, she was.) to the video, but that was par for the course when this video was made. Christensen certainly played her role well; her distracted disinterest in Isaak's advances perfectly reflect the unrequited love the song describes. Apparently there is an "original" video that incorporates scenes from Wild at Heart that is very different than this version, which some feel has the vibe of a Calvin Klein commercial. I don't know . . . I think this one is pretty good.
Anyway, I think this song is incredibly haunting and the video just adds another layer to the music and lyrics. The guitar is incredible. For some reason the song reminds me of the television show, Twin Peaks. After some research, I discovered Wicked Game was used for another David Lynch production, a movie, Wild at Heart.
I love how the billowing clouds mimic massive waves crashing on a beach. The video was filmed in black and white on a black sand beach in Hawaii. While I wouldn't mind being Helena Christensen on that beach with Chris Isaak, I wouldn't want to have those black grains of sand all over my face and the rest of my body. I guess that, among other reasons, is why I was never a model or music video star. Ha!
There is definitely an overt sexuality (was Christensen a Victoria's Secret model? Yes, she was.) to the video, but that was par for the course when this video was made. Christensen certainly played her role well; her distracted disinterest in Isaak's advances perfectly reflect the unrequited love the song describes. Apparently there is an "original" video that incorporates scenes from Wild at Heart that is very different than this version, which some feel has the vibe of a Calvin Klein commercial. I don't know . . . I think this one is pretty good.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Have you ever noticed . . .
Have you ever noticed that when you think to yourself, "Hmmm, it's been a really long time since we've had to take the car in for repairs," the very next day, something goes wrong with the car and you're on the phone with the mechanic, begging him to squeeze you in because you can't live without your car? I'm sure you know what I mean and you could share way too many stories about those sorts of not fun coincidences.
I had that experience today, but it didn't involve one of our cars . . . yet. That "lovely" surprise is no doubt waiting for me in the near future. Instead, I was thinking, "Wow, G and I have really been getting along great. I can't remember the last time we were pissy with one another." And then, BAM! We weren't getting along great and we were being pissy.
Why does that have to happen? Is it because I let my guard down? Why did that innocent, fleeting thought lead to war over the rice cooker? In retrospect, why didn't I say, "Sure honey, go ahead and take the rice cooker into the bedroom (the one you use as an office) and pretend that my childhood desk is just like the kitchen countertop. I'm sure the heat and steam won't wreck anything."?
But no. I had to open my mouth and say if he could wait for just a few seconds while I finished chopping up one last onion, he could have the whole counter to himself. Apparently he didn't want the whole counter to himself; he wanted to start the rice and he wanted to start it right NOW. Except that he couldn't, because first he had to go to the garage to find an extension cord. And by the time he found one and stomped back into the house, I had finished chopping the onion and the counter was cleared and ready for the rice cooker. Even then, he began to set up shop in the bedroom, until I made a federal case out of the whole situation and threw the plastic bag of vegetable scraps on the floor and muttered more than a few choice words (ones I've tried fairly hard to avoid saying during Lent).
Eventually he brought the rice cooker back to the kitchen because "You're always right and we always have to do things your way." Uh, no. I'm not always right and we don't always do things my way. But when I am right and your way isn't equally valid, then yes, we are going to do it my way.
So, we had stir fry for dinner -- I prepped and cooked the veggies; all he had to do was start the rice. I thought it was a pretty good meal. I don't know what G thought because, just like when I made stuffed peppers, he didn't say a word about the food. I suppose this time he didn't say anything because he wasn't talking to me; I still don't know what the issue was with the other meal.
For dessert we had cranberry orange scones that G made this afternoon. I thought they were really good and I told him so. He didn't say anything in response or for the rest of the evening. But when he went to bed, he did say goodnight.
We'll see if he's talking to me in the morning. : //
I had that experience today, but it didn't involve one of our cars . . . yet. That "lovely" surprise is no doubt waiting for me in the near future. Instead, I was thinking, "Wow, G and I have really been getting along great. I can't remember the last time we were pissy with one another." And then, BAM! We weren't getting along great and we were being pissy.
Why does that have to happen? Is it because I let my guard down? Why did that innocent, fleeting thought lead to war over the rice cooker? In retrospect, why didn't I say, "Sure honey, go ahead and take the rice cooker into the bedroom (the one you use as an office) and pretend that my childhood desk is just like the kitchen countertop. I'm sure the heat and steam won't wreck anything."?
But no. I had to open my mouth and say if he could wait for just a few seconds while I finished chopping up one last onion, he could have the whole counter to himself. Apparently he didn't want the whole counter to himself; he wanted to start the rice and he wanted to start it right NOW. Except that he couldn't, because first he had to go to the garage to find an extension cord. And by the time he found one and stomped back into the house, I had finished chopping the onion and the counter was cleared and ready for the rice cooker. Even then, he began to set up shop in the bedroom, until I made a federal case out of the whole situation and threw the plastic bag of vegetable scraps on the floor and muttered more than a few choice words (ones I've tried fairly hard to avoid saying during Lent).
Eventually he brought the rice cooker back to the kitchen because "You're always right and we always have to do things your way." Uh, no. I'm not always right and we don't always do things my way. But when I am right and your way isn't equally valid, then yes, we are going to do it my way.
So, we had stir fry for dinner -- I prepped and cooked the veggies; all he had to do was start the rice. I thought it was a pretty good meal. I don't know what G thought because, just like when I made stuffed peppers, he didn't say a word about the food. I suppose this time he didn't say anything because he wasn't talking to me; I still don't know what the issue was with the other meal.
For dessert we had cranberry orange scones that G made this afternoon. I thought they were really good and I told him so. He didn't say anything in response or for the rest of the evening. But when he went to bed, he did say goodnight.
We'll see if he's talking to me in the morning. : //
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Waiting
It's hard to wait. Right now we're in a waiting period.
Waiting for M to hear if she's been accepted to the OT program at UAB.
Waiting to hear what G's doctor has to say about his CT scan
Waiting to see if our "buyers" will be approved for their mortgage.
Waiting to see E and N in West Lafayette -- in less than two weeks!
Waiting for warmer weather.
Waiting for Jesus to return.
Waiting for M to hear if she's been accepted to the OT program at UAB.
Waiting to hear what G's doctor has to say about his CT scan
Waiting to see if our "buyers" will be approved for their mortgage.
Waiting to see E and N in West Lafayette -- in less than two weeks!
Waiting for warmer weather.
Waiting for Jesus to return.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Thankful Thursday
Lots to be thankful for this week!
E started her job on Wednesday. She went for orientation and will finish up with her training on Tuesday next week and then work an event on Thursday. Yay!
M was able to work out a pet care arrangement for her cat while she's gone for Spring Break. She leaves in an hour or so on a twelve hour bus ride to South Carolina. Her cat will be in very capable and loving hands while she's gone.
G received an e-mail report about his CT scan. As best as we can decipher, it seems like the radiologist didn't find anything out of the ordinary. He has an appointment with his doctor on Monday, so we'll know more then.
M should find out in the next day or so if she has been accepted to the OT program at UAB. She is very nervous and, at this point, almost doesn't want to know if the answer is yes or no. I think she is not feeling especially confident about her chances. I'm thankful that M is trying to be realistic, even though I wish she wasn't quite so pessimistic.
My passport came in the mail yesterday!!! I was afraid that because of all the government cutbacks due to the sequestration, my renewal application might be delayed, but apparently I applied enough ahead of the budget cuts and layoffs to be able to avoid an extended waiting period. Today I mailed three color copies of the photo page to the administrator at my parents' church. I have now officially fulfilled all the pre-trip requirements. Yay! My mother will be relieved. : )
E started her job on Wednesday. She went for orientation and will finish up with her training on Tuesday next week and then work an event on Thursday. Yay!
M was able to work out a pet care arrangement for her cat while she's gone for Spring Break. She leaves in an hour or so on a twelve hour bus ride to South Carolina. Her cat will be in very capable and loving hands while she's gone.
G received an e-mail report about his CT scan. As best as we can decipher, it seems like the radiologist didn't find anything out of the ordinary. He has an appointment with his doctor on Monday, so we'll know more then.
M should find out in the next day or so if she has been accepted to the OT program at UAB. She is very nervous and, at this point, almost doesn't want to know if the answer is yes or no. I think she is not feeling especially confident about her chances. I'm thankful that M is trying to be realistic, even though I wish she wasn't quite so pessimistic.
My passport came in the mail yesterday!!! I was afraid that because of all the government cutbacks due to the sequestration, my renewal application might be delayed, but apparently I applied enough ahead of the budget cuts and layoffs to be able to avoid an extended waiting period. Today I mailed three color copies of the photo page to the administrator at my parents' church. I have now officially fulfilled all the pre-trip requirements. Yay! My mother will be relieved. : )
Monday, March 4, 2013
Music Monday
In honor of National Grammar Day, here is a classic from my late childhood.
Schoolhouse Rock rocks!!! : )
Schoolhouse Rock rocks!!! : )
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Speak my language, please!
You might think this is going to be a rant about people who come to the US, legally or illegally, and can't be bothered to learn English. No, this is a different sort of rant. The language I'm referring to in the title is not a language associated with a specific country or ethnic group of people. I'm talking about a love language, as in the five love languages identified by Dr. Gary Chapman.
In Bible translation, the goal is to translate Scripture into the "heart" language of every people group. While some people groups might know another language (like English, French, or Spanish) for the purpose of education, business, or other official transactions, they usually have a heart language that is most familiar and allows them to express themselves most accurately. Their heart language is likely the language they learned to speak as they grew from a baby to a toddler and onward in their childhood homes; it is the language that their parents and grandparents spoke to them; it is a language of love. Translators strive to learn these heart languages so that the love of God's plan for humanity throughout time, as expressed by Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, can be written down for every human to read in a language that will be understood with the greatest clarity. It is no easy task, but it is so very important. In fact, it is a matter of life and death.
Love languages are similar to heart languages. According to Dr. Chapman, everyone has a primary love language that reaches them most deeply. If person A wants to communicate her love to person B, it is best communicated by using the language that resonates most strongly in the heart of person B, the language that person B knows best. Sometimes person A and person B speak the same love language. Lucky them! Communication between them should be fairly easy. Other times person A may have only a limited vocabulary and familiarity with person B's love language. The lack of knowledge about this "foreign" language can limit communication, but with patience on the part of person B and earnest attempts to learn on the part of person A, confidence and fluency can develop.
And then there is yet another possibility -- person A has never even heard of person B's love language and seems uninterested in making any attempt to learn it. This isn't to say that person A doesn't love person B, but it does mean that if person A communicates her love for person B in a language she prefers to speak, her message could fall on deaf ears because person B might not understand a word that person A is saying.
By now you've probably realized a love language doesn't necessarily use actual words. While words are important, actions are a powerful form of communication too, and the majority of the five love languages are predominately non-verbal. Physical Touch, Acts of Service, Gifts, and Quality Time require movement and action. Only one language, Words of Affirmation, most often necessitates vocal communication, although the language can certainly be expressed with written words of affirmation as well.
My primary love language is Words of Affirmation. My husband does not speak WoA. I've known this fact for years, and most of the time, it doesn't bother me. Most of the time. Tonight, it bothered me.
G's love language is Acts of Service. I thought I was speaking AoS today when I spent half the afternoon making a special dinner for us. What I prepared wasn't difficult, but it was time consuming and created a huge mess in the kitchen. I thought G would be pleased, especially since I know he likes this particular entree and it's not one that I make very often. I'll admit I was looking forward to hearing him use words of affirmation as he thanked me for the delicious (it really was delicious) meal that I spent hours fixing. Sad to say, I was disappointed.
G didn't say anything about the meal. Nothing. Nothing complimentary, nothing critical, no "thank you," nothing. I couldn't believe it. I thought about asking him if he liked the meal, but I decided not to bother. In the past when I've debased myself and fished for compliments, I've been let down when his response was a dismissive "It was fine" or "It was okay," or worst of all "Well, I ate it didn't I?"
I would love to hear G speak my primary love language, but sometimes silence is the better option.
In Bible translation, the goal is to translate Scripture into the "heart" language of every people group. While some people groups might know another language (like English, French, or Spanish) for the purpose of education, business, or other official transactions, they usually have a heart language that is most familiar and allows them to express themselves most accurately. Their heart language is likely the language they learned to speak as they grew from a baby to a toddler and onward in their childhood homes; it is the language that their parents and grandparents spoke to them; it is a language of love. Translators strive to learn these heart languages so that the love of God's plan for humanity throughout time, as expressed by Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, can be written down for every human to read in a language that will be understood with the greatest clarity. It is no easy task, but it is so very important. In fact, it is a matter of life and death.
Love languages are similar to heart languages. According to Dr. Chapman, everyone has a primary love language that reaches them most deeply. If person A wants to communicate her love to person B, it is best communicated by using the language that resonates most strongly in the heart of person B, the language that person B knows best. Sometimes person A and person B speak the same love language. Lucky them! Communication between them should be fairly easy. Other times person A may have only a limited vocabulary and familiarity with person B's love language. The lack of knowledge about this "foreign" language can limit communication, but with patience on the part of person B and earnest attempts to learn on the part of person A, confidence and fluency can develop.
And then there is yet another possibility -- person A has never even heard of person B's love language and seems uninterested in making any attempt to learn it. This isn't to say that person A doesn't love person B, but it does mean that if person A communicates her love for person B in a language she prefers to speak, her message could fall on deaf ears because person B might not understand a word that person A is saying.
By now you've probably realized a love language doesn't necessarily use actual words. While words are important, actions are a powerful form of communication too, and the majority of the five love languages are predominately non-verbal. Physical Touch, Acts of Service, Gifts, and Quality Time require movement and action. Only one language, Words of Affirmation, most often necessitates vocal communication, although the language can certainly be expressed with written words of affirmation as well.
My primary love language is Words of Affirmation. My husband does not speak WoA. I've known this fact for years, and most of the time, it doesn't bother me. Most of the time. Tonight, it bothered me.
G's love language is Acts of Service. I thought I was speaking AoS today when I spent half the afternoon making a special dinner for us. What I prepared wasn't difficult, but it was time consuming and created a huge mess in the kitchen. I thought G would be pleased, especially since I know he likes this particular entree and it's not one that I make very often. I'll admit I was looking forward to hearing him use words of affirmation as he thanked me for the delicious (it really was delicious) meal that I spent hours fixing. Sad to say, I was disappointed.
G didn't say anything about the meal. Nothing. Nothing complimentary, nothing critical, no "thank you," nothing. I couldn't believe it. I thought about asking him if he liked the meal, but I decided not to bother. In the past when I've debased myself and fished for compliments, I've been let down when his response was a dismissive "It was fine" or "It was okay," or worst of all "Well, I ate it didn't I?"
I would love to hear G speak my primary love language, but sometimes silence is the better option.
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