March 22

Along with prayer, children need to see love manifested toward them with eye contact, physical touch (a pat, a hug, a kiss), and with loving acts, deeds and words.   (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Gary Chapman, PhD and Ross Campbell, MD have a wonderful book called The 5 Love Languages of Children.  The book's description asks 'Does your child speak a different language? Sometimes they wager for your attention, and other times they ignore you completely. Sometimes they are filled with gratitude and affection, and other times they seem totally indifferent. Attitude. Behavior. Development. Everything depends on the love relationship between you and your child. When children feel loved, they do their best. But how can you make sure your child feels loved?'  The book then goes on to discuss the different Love Languages listed below:

• Physical Touch
• Words of Affirmation
• Quality Time
• Gifts
• Acts of Service

"Every child has a primary language of love, a way in which he or she understands a parent's love best." (Chapman)

Back in the day, DeBarge had a song called "Love me in a Special Way"...this is the essence of the Love Languages!  In my marriage, if I constantly offer my husband words of affirmation when he desires physical touch; it's not that I don't love him, but that I'm not loving him in his special way.  The key to showing our children love is not loving them how we want to, but loving them how they want to be loved. 

Lord, as much as we pray for our children, let us not forget to show them love manifested in a way that is receptive to them.  For the child that receives love by physical touch; let us hold them as Your word says we are to hold fast the faithful word.  For the child that receives love by words of affirmation; let us remind them that he/she is "fearfully and wonderfully made".  For the child that receives love through quality time; let us teach them that "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven".  For the child that receives love through gifts; let us pray for the gifts of the Spirit.  For the child that receives love by acts of service, we pray that they'll know, if they're faithful over a few things, You will say "well done" and make them ruler over many.  We will love them specially, we will love them in a special way.  In Jesus name, Amen!