Is Your "Love Tank" Full?

Williamsburg is one of those rapidly growing communities here in Virginia! It is not the "small town village" that it was years ago when the Rockefellers decided that history should be rebuilt. In the twelve years that I have lived here the population has increased, stores have sprung up all over town, "New Town" was designed and built, "Main Street" is under construction, and scores of people have decided to call Williamsburg, "Home !"

Now I take no credit for this explosion (nor blame depending upon which segment of our town is being queried), but I must say that it has been a joy to watch it happen! I have never lived in a town where it was so easy to become acquainted with so many people with diverse backgrounds.

But, I wonder how many of our friends and neighbors may be running on "empty!" Dr. Gary Chapman wrote a book entitled, "Five Love Languages," and it he labels each of these "languages." Chapman is not considering the "romance languages" (Italian, French, etc.), but rather the languages that speak love to others. His list is interesting!

1. Words of affirmation -- If your spouse, child, or parent needs to be told they are loved and appreciated, you should provide that language for them. Compliment them. Affirm them.

2. Quality time -- That "special" person may enjoy spending time with you, but the time should be valuable. Going out to eat for an hour is one thing, but spending that hour in meaningful dialogue is totally different.

3. Receiving gifts -- I know it is more blessed to give than it is to receive, but in your mates love language a gift ungiven may represent a lack of love.

4. Acts of service -- If this is your love language and your mate does one of your chores for no apparent reason, then you feel very loved and appreciated.

5. Physical touch -- There is no replacement for the physical touch of the person who loves you! There is a reassurance in that touch that speaks loudly those wonderful words, "I love you!"

Check your "love tank" and, remember, if you are running on empty it will not be long before your love comes to a complete stop! You do not want that to happen!