Love is such a complex subject matter. Think of how frequent and diverse context we use the word in conversation. It is used as a flippant remark that we “love” food, a certain beverage rather than another; we “love” a travel destination, or the scent of a new car. However, we also use “love” to describe our deepest feelings for another person; I “love” my wife and my kids. While I really do “love” my wife and my sons so much more than my fondness for comfort food, or a great soft drink; but our superficial and frequent use of the word “love” diminishes the impact it has in the conversation. Expressing and receiving love is extremely convoluted and requires a lot of dedication and persistence. Too often it involves struggles and heartache that can derail to process. Even with persistence, it takes a willingness to stay vulnerably engage in heartfelt affection and requires an environment of safety and trust. It is also a fact that giving and receiving genuine love is well within your grasp to have and to hold from this day forward. People want and need emotional connection and you do not have to look hard to see proof of this. Have you ever noticed how a song can reach deep into our soul and explain a thought that is otherwise obscure? We appreciate how a lyric can speak right to us and that some artists seem to have that ability to sing right to the heart. We celebrate when we hear a powerful sermon that stirs deep in our soul. Each of us long for this type of connection, where our hearts join in some type of solidarity, saying we are not alone in our deepest desire of the heart. This is a yearning that somehow enables us to articulate what we feel deep inside. It is also the same feeling that exists in the most intimate relationship when two people communicate “love” in such a way that brings their hearts together as one. A man and woman falling in love is not a new phenomenon, it happens all the time; boy sees girl and works hard to meet the girl; the girl recognizes boy and reciprocates the attention; and the rest they say, is history. God’s perfect design tells us that a man and woman wanting to be together is a distinct part of our created being. Genesis 2 tells us “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” In fact, the next verse tells us that both the man and woman were naked and not ashamed. It is amazing that in the midst of such vulnerability that a man and woman can be so close that they are described as one person. Most would agree that it is more difficult staying in love. In this fallen world in which we live in there are tremendous challenges and obstacles to experience biblical oneness and these can be devastatingly difficult for couples and families to navigate. Even with these obstacles, the complexity is that there seems to be a relationship skill deficit in contemporary society. We hear people tell us that they struggle to be in a close relationship. The expression of love is extremely delicate, not only in the struggle to communicate, but also to give and receive love. Over the next few weeks, Capernaum Care will talk about on how to effectively share and receive love. We’ll share from Dr. Gary Chapman’s book, “The Five Love Languages” and how applying these simple things will help you communicate your deepest feelings to the ones you love. We understand that this is different for everyone, and that each person must cultivate their own “love language” (Chapman, 2004) in a way that communicates the deepest affection So regardless of how fluent you are in your love language, our hope is that these articles will guide you to a deeper level of affection with those whom you love. Capernaum Care will post articles that concentrate on Chapman’s Five Love Languages: 1. Words of Affirmation, 2. Quality Time, 3. Receiving Gifts, 4. Acts of Service, and 5. Physical Touch. We want to encourage you to take the test so you can find out your love language by going to this link: The Love Language™ Quiz (5lovelanguages.com) (Chapman G. , 2021) After you complete the test you will get a personalized breakdown of your love language. While it is important to know your own love language so you can understand the language you speak, it is crucial to know the language of those closest to you. Ask your spouse and your closest family members to take the quiz and share the results with you. This provides invaluable insight for you to learn to speak their love language. Have some fun with this and before you know it you will speak their language fluently. Our articles will build upon these principles each week and give you practical tips that you can use right away in your relationship. You’ll want to stay tuned to the Capernaum Care page so you don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity! Works Cited: Chapman, G. (2021). Quizzes. Retrieved from Five Love Languages: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/ Chapman, G. D. (2004). The Five Love Languages. Chicago: Northfield Publishing.