This week one of the books I’ve been reading is Love is a Way of Life by Gary Chapman. Many of you are probably familiar with his book The Five Love Languages in all its iterations. (I’m also currently reading The Five Love Languages for Children after my mom and sister highly recommended it to me. It’s also very good!)
Much as I’d like to ignore the fact, our world is very me-focused. I’d like to think that I’m above the fray. I’d like to think incorrectly. How many times a day do I balance the needs of others against mine and want mine to prevail? In fact, it was only a couple weeks ago that I sat in church and wrote in my journal it was time to relinquish my rights. My right to sleep — I have a 2 1/2 month old after all. My rights in my so many areas. And then with the Bible study No Other Gods so many of my idols stem from concern about what others think of me and my rights.
This book is a great way to begin addressing those issues. In the practical style that I appreciate from Dr. Chapman, he lays out seven secrets to love.
- Kindness: discovering the joy of helping others
- Patience: accepting the imperfections of others
- Forgiveness: Finding Freedom from the Grip of Anger
- Courtesy: Treating Others as Friends
- Humility: Stepping Down so Someone Else can Step Up
- Generosity: Giving Yourself to Others
- Honesty: Revealing Who You Really Are.
He follows those chapters with chapters filled with suggestions on how to apply these principles to your marriage, parenting and the workplace. This is a book to be read and then consciously applied. It would be easy to skim it and say “that’s nice,” rather than accept the challenge of applying the principles in my life. But as I seek to be light and salt, I believe it’s worth the effort to apply the ideas.
In fact, I think I may adapt some of them and work with the kids on them this year in school. Watch out, Abigail and Jonathan. We’re on a mission to learn how to actively love each other!
The publisher has provided two copies for a giveaway. Leave a comment with an example of how you have chosen to love someone to be entered in the giveaway. I’d love to hear your ideas!
Comments 5
I always love to be first:) As for your question how do I love someone it can be found in the time I devote to my husband and children. It is in the love expressed through both words and actions to my friends. I love Gary Chapman’s books and have read the love language series. They are worth your time to invest in what he is saying. Thanks for the opprotunity to win a copy. runninmama{at}sbcglobal[dot]net
Hi, The concepts behind his book sound wonderful! They remind me of the Biblical “agape’ love. Please enter me in your delightful book giveaway drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
It is 3:00 am and I am getting up at 6:20 am to go on a trip – of course you have to go to sleep in order to get up… but my 6 week old has decided that he wants to be cute right now. He almost gave his first belly laugh about 30 minutes ago. I’m showing love right now by being up with him so my husband can sleep (of course he was up with both of us until just a few minutes ago…
Janna
ryanx6 at msn dot com
with 7 kids there are many opportunites every day to choose love. they love me to spend time with them, so we’ve been swimming, playing games, watching movies and lots of fun things this summer! but daily I also walk them through conflicts 🙂
This book sounds great! I am looking for a new book to use for the “mom’s group” that meets at my house.
Heather