Receiving Gifts

This week my wife, Alta Lynn informed me that one of her Love Languages had changed from Quality Time to Receiving Gifts. I was a little shocked by this. She told me that she had experienced plenty of Quality Time lately because of COVID and so her Love Language had changed.

Now, I’m not sure what all that means but I’m going to interpret it in the best way possible.

GIFTS ARE VISUAL REMINDERS OF LOVE

Receiving Gifts as a Love Language isn’t all about the item given. The actual value is in the gesture, the showing that the other person has been on your mind.

Giving gifts is instinctive. As children, we were naturally inclined to give gifts to our parents. Love gives. Our best example? God is a giver.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)

PRACTICAL ACTIONS

It is very important for the person who has this Love Language of Receiving Gifts, that you remember all the special dates – birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and give a gift.

Also, remember that you don’t have to wait on a special occasion to celebrate and give a gift.

“The most important thing is not the gift, but the emotional love communicated by the gift.”  Dr. Gary Chapman

GETTING STARTED

So where do you start with someone who has the Love Language of Receiving Gifts?

• Listen carefully. What is their favorite candy? Favorite color?

• Make gift-giving a habit as opposed to using it to patch up your relationship when things are difficult.

THE BOTTOM LINE

 “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.”  Philippians 1:9 (NLT)

The goal is to grow in love. The 5 Love Languages are great tools to help us do that very thing.