Love Languages

Spiritual reflection to start the day with Siȃn Wyn Rees, Bible Society’s Head of Wales.

Good morning.
I recently celebrated a significant birthday—the kind of milestone that marks one’s entry into a new decade. Naturally, considerable thought went into deciding how best to celebrate the occasion. There was a venue to arrange, invitations to send, food to prepare, an outfit to select, and entertainment to organise. Then, inevitably, came the familiar anxieties that accompany such an occasion: would people turn up? Had I prepared enough food? And, most importantly, would everyone enjoy themselves?

The day of the celebration finally arrived, and I was genuinely overwhelmed by the effort people had made to be there, travelling from both near and far to share the occasion with me. Many had bought or made thoughtful and carefully chosen gifts, while others had gone even further, writing poems and even composing a song especially for the occasion. I was deeply touched by the thoughtfulness that people had demonstrated in marking this significant milestone with me.

The various expressions of love shown to me on my birthday seem to reflect ‘The Five Love Languages’ author Gary Chapman presents in his book of the same title. He believes that each of us has a primary love language, whether that’s words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service or physical touch. This idea of expressing and receiving love is seen in the Bible. The author of the first epistle of John writes, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”

Living God, thank You for Your unfailing love. Help me to love others as You love me, with kindness, patience, forgiveness, and compassion. Amen.