The Crafting Journey (Part J)

What is your love language? Do you even know what that is? If you are wondering where I am going with this, hang on, I will show you.

A love language is the way a person prefers to express love or recieve love. According to Dr. Gary Chapman, the author of The Five Love Languages, those languages are: 

  1. Words of Affirmation
  2. Quality Time
  3. Gifts
  4. Acts of Service
  5. Physical Touch
Generally, love languages are connected to how we want to give and receive love within a relationship, but I want to go a little deeper. I think your love language(s) can translate also into other worldly experiences. For example, I am a gift giver, gifts is one of my love languages. I think I would be remiss if I didn't share my Christian experience here... I love to cook. Previously, I often would cook or bake and then take the food to my church for the pastoral team to enjoy. That is an act of service, but also is gift giving. I believe we have been given gifts from God (who gave the ultimate gift of His son) to share with others. 

Gifts refers to giving or receiving- I prefer to give. Knitting is both an act of service and gift giving. Dr. Chapman defines acts of service  as "showing love by perfoming various tasks that are helpful and ease the partner's burdens." Again, it doesn't always have to be within an intimate relationship. When I knit (because 98% of my knitting goes to charity), I am easing the burden of a person who may be in the hospital or in a dire situation. I am giving a gift that I have put time into and giving to charity is an act of service.

Knitting is so much more than just something I do. When I reflect on the fact that my knitting has touched the lives of people in the community, my heart feels happy (because I am giver). I am reminded of the verse in 2 Corinthians 16:14, "Let everything you do be done in love," and that includes knitting- I do it for the love of knitting, but also for the lives that will be changed by the love given. 

Thank you for using your gifts to reach out to others in need. Keep on loving and keep on crafting. 

Melanie


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