"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one."
C.S. Lewis, The Four Letters
Tucked between medical bills and junk mail, a cheerful yellow envelope begged to be opened. How did the sender know I would need this today?
People speak the language of friendship through the little things in life.
Recent health issues have positioned me to be on the receiving end of compassion and comfort. I am thankful for each note, call, care package, and especially the delicious food.
In his book, The 5 Love Languages, marriage counselor Gary Chapman, explains there are five basic love languages or ways to express love emotionally:
Words of Affirmation
Acts of Service
Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Physical Touch
Each person gravitates more towards one of these love languages. However, Chapman states it is possible to be “bi-lingual” and possess more than one love language. Perhaps you too are bilingual.
My love languages are Words of Affirmation and Acts of Service. So, when a friend delivered “little something” a card, the book The Red Sea Rules by Robert Morgan, and a chocolate cake, I felt abundantly loved!
The best gifts are the ones tagged with the words, “It’s just a little something.”
Do you know someone going through a tough time?
Do a little something for them today. You may not know their love language, but here are a few ideas to kick-start ideas:
Send a card in a cheerful envelope. (Who doesn’t love receiving personal mail?)
Deliver flowers (from the grocery store or your yard.)
Mow a friend’s lawn, offer to carpool the kids, or detail their car.
Cook a little extra and send over a meal in freezable containers. Or send a DoorDash gift card.
Visit or call and lend a listening ear.
Invite a friend over for coffee.
Invite a friend over to binge-watch a series or watch a movie. Or offer to sit with a friend during their child’s game, piano recital or, etc.
Before grocery shopping, ask if you can pick up something for them.
Give a book that meant something to you in a similar circumstance.
Be like Olaf, from the movie Frozen, and give warm hugs.
More book recommendations:
In what little ways has someone shown friendship to you? Go and do likewise to others.
Hugs & Hope,
~April Dawn
© 2016, 2024 April Dawn White