This year for Father's Day I'm going to attempt to lay out what I believe are the love languages of the father figures in my life :) Let's see how I do!
*Note, after writing, this has been so fun! If you'd like to take a gander at the love languages of those in your life, and then want to check, here is an on-line quiz: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/
First of all, my pops, Tony. Zany and tattooed, buff and bald, to the eye of the beholder he appears one thing. But to those who know his heart, he is quite another! It is not until the past months when I have lived with him that I truly see how much this man loves his children (and everyone). Whether it involves ordering shirts online that fit his kiddos various interests, or delivering freshly popped pop-corn to my brother, or grilling out to provide food for lunches...my dad loves to do things for his kids. And his siblings. And his mom. And his co-workers. And his friends. My dad is an acts of service man. And I love to see him in action! I couldn't do this post without bible verses, so here is his: "Whoever brings blessings will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered," Proverbs 11:25. Dad, I am so blessed to get have this time with you!
Moving along to Tom, my step-dad. Who has been in my life as long as I can remember. Heart of gold. Always. Kindness in his eyes. Always. Arms open for a hug. Always. I think growing up you were my safety net and you still are! And what's even more spectacular is that you are now also the safety net for my little man. I'm saying that your love language is quality time. And I will apologize publicly because we spend far to little time together! Must be remedied. But know, you are wonderful. The time you take with those you love is precious. Whether that means teaching one of your nieces / nephews to play cribbage (with the patience of a saint), or showing your grandson how to make something (AND put everything back in it's place), or taking a walk with my mom, or spending time with your siblings, or, or or - your time spent says, "I love you." And we love you right back! You are a great embodiment of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control," Galatians 5:22-23.
Next on the list is Paul. Kind of step-dad number 2, if you will. I am claiming your love language as words of affirmation - because you are so great at affirming others. I think those who know you, know you like to talk. In your Southern, gentlemanly way :). But what is key, is that the words you choose to say, build others up. You would be hard-pressed to say something negative about anyone. It is a pleasure to see you speak truth and encouragement to those around you! And by "those around you," I mean - everyone. The waitress at a restaurant, or a stranger on the phone, or a person on the street, or family, or friends. You are great with words and that is a gift! This is my verse for you, "Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen," Ephesians 4:29.
And last, but certainly not least, Kevin. You are a hard cookie to crack :) I'm going to need you to take the test and get back to me! I'm going to say not touch and not gifts. But a combination of the other three. Your words are sometimes few; but they are spoken with wisdom and insight and have a tendency to cut to the core, yet stick - moving quickly from the head to the heart. You are willing to spend quality time with your children; teaching, leading by example (or simply kicking butt on basically every game, ever!). You teach what you know by not just telling - but by showing - so that your children, and now little Nathan, have answers to questions. And those answers they will remember. And most often, that time spent includes acts of service! Working on the garden, or taking on house projects (for your own home, or one of your kiddos) or doing more than you need to at work, or continually giving and involving yourself at church. Your sense of "family" spreads wide. Tried to find a verse to encompass that: "Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect," 1 Timothy 3:2-4.
I love you all! And to all the great father's out there -thank you for doing what you do and loving your families!
*Note, after writing, this has been so fun! If you'd like to take a gander at the love languages of those in your life, and then want to check, here is an on-line quiz: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/
First of all, my pops, Tony. Zany and tattooed, buff and bald, to the eye of the beholder he appears one thing. But to those who know his heart, he is quite another! It is not until the past months when I have lived with him that I truly see how much this man loves his children (and everyone). Whether it involves ordering shirts online that fit his kiddos various interests, or delivering freshly popped pop-corn to my brother, or grilling out to provide food for lunches...my dad loves to do things for his kids. And his siblings. And his mom. And his co-workers. And his friends. My dad is an acts of service man. And I love to see him in action! I couldn't do this post without bible verses, so here is his: "Whoever brings blessings will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered," Proverbs 11:25. Dad, I am so blessed to get have this time with you!
Moving along to Tom, my step-dad. Who has been in my life as long as I can remember. Heart of gold. Always. Kindness in his eyes. Always. Arms open for a hug. Always. I think growing up you were my safety net and you still are! And what's even more spectacular is that you are now also the safety net for my little man. I'm saying that your love language is quality time. And I will apologize publicly because we spend far to little time together! Must be remedied. But know, you are wonderful. The time you take with those you love is precious. Whether that means teaching one of your nieces / nephews to play cribbage (with the patience of a saint), or showing your grandson how to make something (AND put everything back in it's place), or taking a walk with my mom, or spending time with your siblings, or, or or - your time spent says, "I love you." And we love you right back! You are a great embodiment of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control," Galatians 5:22-23.
Next on the list is Paul. Kind of step-dad number 2, if you will. I am claiming your love language as words of affirmation - because you are so great at affirming others. I think those who know you, know you like to talk. In your Southern, gentlemanly way :). But what is key, is that the words you choose to say, build others up. You would be hard-pressed to say something negative about anyone. It is a pleasure to see you speak truth and encouragement to those around you! And by "those around you," I mean - everyone. The waitress at a restaurant, or a stranger on the phone, or a person on the street, or family, or friends. You are great with words and that is a gift! This is my verse for you, "Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen," Ephesians 4:29.
And last, but certainly not least, Kevin. You are a hard cookie to crack :) I'm going to need you to take the test and get back to me! I'm going to say not touch and not gifts. But a combination of the other three. Your words are sometimes few; but they are spoken with wisdom and insight and have a tendency to cut to the core, yet stick - moving quickly from the head to the heart. You are willing to spend quality time with your children; teaching, leading by example (or simply kicking butt on basically every game, ever!). You teach what you know by not just telling - but by showing - so that your children, and now little Nathan, have answers to questions. And those answers they will remember. And most often, that time spent includes acts of service! Working on the garden, or taking on house projects (for your own home, or one of your kiddos) or doing more than you need to at work, or continually giving and involving yourself at church. Your sense of "family" spreads wide. Tried to find a verse to encompass that: "Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect," 1 Timothy 3:2-4.
I love you all! And to all the great father's out there -thank you for doing what you do and loving your families!
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