I love you!  How do you say it? Love is something that takes many forms.

How do you say “i Love You”?

There have been lot’s of books written on the languages of love. These books have discussed genders being from different planets, given personality tests, and even broken down how different people receive love. Some people need words of encouragement and while others like gifts. Some respond to acts of kindness and other to physical touch. Do I think these types of books are valid? Yes of course, but sometimes you need a quick answer and don’t have time to do the research.

Be careful what you ask for!

Recently, I needed a quick answer. David had been so helpful!  It was a very busy time, and I had noticed all the little things he was doing to make things much easier on me. He seemed to be going out of his way to be kind and encouraging.  I tried to say thank you but I wanted to do more so… I prayed a dangerous prayer. It was a simple prayer that went something like this…

Lord, David has been so sweet lately and I just don’t know how to show him that I really appreciate what he is doing. Will you show me a good way to say “I Love You“?

Now I didn’t think that was a dangerous prayer. However, I am learning that when you ask God an open ended question, you need to be prepared for whatever He says.

What form would love take this time?

I have had great inspiration before. Like the time wrote I love you notes to him on our shower wall in crayon. It wrote “How do I love you? Let me count the ways!”. Then each day I added another thing about him that I loved. I guess I was looking for some other cute and creative idea but instead the answer I received was a little more practical and not so fun (at first anyway).

The Lord Gave His Answer

It was early one Saturday morning. I was getting ready and leaving before everyone else had to get up. I don’t even remember what I was doing, however, I know that it was work related and took me away from my family for the most of the day. As I was rushing around trying to get everything ready to leave I went to say my last goodbyes to David who was still in the bed. I was expecting something like:

“Wow, I am sure going to miss you and I am so sorry you have to work today. I’ll be here waiting for you to get home!”

Instead he sleepily spoke from underneath the covers…”Can you please wash those dishes in the sink before you go?”

I immediately wanted to go into a rage validating all the reasons why dishes were in the sink, how hard I had been working, and how could he be so insensitive to mention that as I was trying to walk out the door!  (just being real) The request was not rude or insensitive but because i am far from perfect my first response is sometimes to defend myself. I am a work in progress.

Then all of the sudden I heard that sweet gentle but firm voice of the Holy Spirit speak inside of me. 

“You asked how to say I Love You!”

Whaaa! i didn’t want to do it THAT way! However, I knew I had the answer that I had been waiting for. It certainly was not fun or romantic either. DISHES! of all things, dishes.

What makes your partner tick?

Part of a loving partnership is knowing what makes your partner tick, and what ticks them off:).I know one thing that gets on my husbands nerves is when both sides of the sink are filled with dishes. He has said on more than one occasion “Can we just have one side of the sink clean?”  That morning I did wash the dishes before I left and I did so without grumbling or complaining. After I got over the shock of what the Holy Spirit was trying to teach me, I washed them with a smile on my face knowing that I was leaving behind a shiny silver “I Love You, and You are important to me” in the form of a clean kitchen sink.

How do you say I Love You?

Often times saying I love you is in the little things. Just as I felt my husband’s love and appreciation with every load of laundry he washed and countless other acts of kindness, God was showing me to love him back in the same way.  Serving in love!

Galatians 5:13   For you were called to freedom, brethren: only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

So to my sweet husband… I know I don’t say it everyday like this but know that whenever I put my shoes away, clean the laundry off the chair or get the dishes out of the sink that I Love You! and I appreciate all the little things that you do for me.

How do you say I Love You?  Leave your comments here. I would love to know how you say I Love You, not only to your spouse, but to your kids as well. It is such an important thing to say, I am always open to new suggestions!
Serving and Loving,
Madaline