THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

April 21, 2021

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

When Jon and I got married someone bought us a book about the five love languages. It explains that everyone gives and receives love differently, and we can better love our spouse when we understand what their love language is: quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, touch, or gifts. When we try to show love to our husband or wife in the way that we like to be shown love, then they may not feel appreciated or as if their spouse doesn't truly love or understand them.

For instance, Jon's love language is words of affirmation: hearing words that encourage and built him up and make him feel greatly appreciated; being told thank you for things he does around the house,working hard and being noticed when he does things for me. A very close second, or perhaps even equally important to him is touch. On the other hand, my love language leans toward acts of service; having Jon do things for me or to help out, spontaneous acts of kindness, doing little unexpected things for me.... etc. Probably a close second for me would be gifts; having Jon spontaneously surprise me with a bouquet of flowers, picking out something for me that he knows I'll like, going into the convenience store and getting my favorite drink for me, surprising me with an act or gift that he knows will make me happy.

Many times instead of relating to our spouse in their love language, we act in our own. For instance, instead of giving Jon words of affirmation, I will do acts of service such as: make him his favorite meal and let him fix his plate first.... lay out his clothes in the bathroom for him for the week to make the mornings go smoother.... mow the yard so he doesn't have to after working all day.... make sure he has clean clothes.... shop for him, because I know he doesn't like to..... etc. I will spend hours and weeks prior to his birthday and Christmas trying to find the perfect gifts for Jon, because I want to get him things that he will truly enjoy and like. Therefore, I show him acts of service and give gifts, instead of giving him what truly speaks to him and makes him feel deeply loved.

Lately I've been testing out how love languages work with children, seeing that what works for one doesn't work for the other, because they respond differently.

I babysit my nephews two kids. Malcolm is three and his love language is quality time, which at his age translates to attention. Some days it seems as if he says my name 150 times! Everything he says, he wants to make sure I hear it and that he has my full attention, so will say, "Laa... Laa.... Laa...." until I respond and answer him. (He calls me Laa instead of Retta.) There are times when I may be busy doing something else or helping his sister, but he will stand there and repeatedly say my name until he gets a response. He loves knowing that I see what he's doing, or that I am looking at his toy, or that I am listening to what he's saying. He loves having my undivided attention.

On the other hand, Mariah is age two and her love language is very much touch. She will crawl up and sit on my lap numerous times during the day. When I'm up doing something she will come up to me, reach out her hands and say, "Hug... hug," wanting picked up. She will sit on my feet. She likes being near me and touching makes her feel secure.

During nap time, I often will go up and lay beside her, because she won't stay in her bed and will bother her brother who daily naps. After he has fallen asleep, there have been times when she will be fighting her sleep, so is trying to do whatever possibly to stay awake. She will start being loud, kicking her legs, climbing on top of me, poking me in the eye, playing with my hair, and even tried to pick my nose one time. When I get onto her, she will get upset with me and get as far away from me as she can. Next thing I know, there she is again right beside me, touching me and wanting to be near me.

The Father knows our love language and knows how to relate to us in the way that touches us the most. But He also likes for us to relate to Him. God loves it when we give Him our full attention and listen to what He wants to say to us. But sometimes we allow busyness to get in the way and we get distracted. The Father will say, "Loretta... Loretta.... Loretta," trying to get me to stop what I'm doing and give Him my attention.

Sometimes when Malcolm does that, it becomes annoying! I have other things to do and another child to take care of and can't always stop what I'm doing to make sure he's given my full attention. I may tell him, "You need to be patient and wait a minute! You don't have to say my name over and over again; I know you want me, but I need to do this first." Still, he will continue saying my name. He is persistent until he is able to tell me or show me whatever it is.

There are times when we have so much going on in our lives that God keeps nudging us and trying to get our attention. He wants us to stop what we are doing in order to listen to Him. Perhaps there is someone at that moment who needs shown kindness or needs prayer, and the Father is trying to get us to notice.

One of the Father's many love languages is quality time, and He just wants us to stop what we're doing and focus on Him for a few moments. That brings Him such joy and delight when we do so!

God also loves to touch our hearts, and loves for us to touch Him. We can sit on His lap and be held when we need comfort. He will carry us when the load becomes heavy and we are weary. We can bow at His feet in worship and adoration. We can sit quietly and just enjoy being in His presence.

Let's allow the Father to speak to us in our love language and show us His great love. But let us also speak to Him in His love language and show Him how great our love is for Him, in return!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Showing love is very important. But it is also important to be sincere about it. If you can't be sincere about showing love, you have to learn to fake it really well. (I'm kidding here. Faking it is a terrible plan.)

A true, deep love for someone isn't the same as loving a good cheesecake, or even loving having a chauffeur. It is about being willing to give of your own happiness to make them happy. It is about bringing honor to them, even if it means giving up a little yourself. It is about trying to give more than you receive.

So, how can you feel true love for someone? One good step is to consider how God loves them. He loves them even more than we could ever love someone. With practice, that can help us to love anyone.

ON THE MENEWE:

Zippy Potatoes

Cut potatoes into even sized, bite-sized pieces (enough to fill a medium-sized bowl).

Place potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl. Coat with approximately 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season potatoes, to taste.

Microwave for 8 minutes. Stir; check for tenderness and microwave increments of 3 minutes until done.

**Note: If you don't have Lawry's seasoned salt you can use a combination of salt and paprika.

You don't need to peel the red potatoes. If you want to use russet, you will need to peel first.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

My brother-in-law graduated from Bible college the same year my niece graduated from Kindergarten. She thought once she had completed Kindergarten, that she was finished with school. She found out that her dad was graduating and asked how long he had went to school. He told her about eighteen years total. Her eyes grew big as she said, "Wow, Daddy! It took you eighteen years and it only took me one!"

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

The secret is Christ in me; not me in a different set of circumstances. - Elisabeth Elliot

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org