Have you heard of "love languages?"  These are different ways people prefer to express their love to the significant people in their lives.  Author Gary Chapman identified five ways people usually express their love: Quality time, acts of service, physical touch, words of affirmation and giving gifts. Each person usually has two major love languages. It's important for us to know of the love languages of the people dear to us.

It took me some time to identify my parents' love languages.  My father is the most down-to-earth person I've ever known. To show his love, it was enough for him to serve another person, or encourage him with words.  Being such, I usually had a difficult time shopping for a gift for him.  He basically appreciates everything!  On the other hand, if my father's love languages were service and words of affirmation, my mother enjoyed receiving gifts and spending quality time with us.

Whatever their love language is, I consider it a real joy giving to my parents -- especially now that I have a family of my own.  I've heard people say that showing kindness to your parents is a sure way to get a better life.  Who wouldn't want a good life?  But beyond the expectation of a better life or reward, I show my love to my parents in the best possible way I can simply because I love them.  I won't have any other set of parents in this world. I want to make use of the time that I still have to express my love and appreciation.

Being there for our parents is the best thing that we can give them.  No amount of material things can substitute for that.  For me it is more than a responsibility, it is a privilege!

"Honor your father and your mother as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land of the Lord your God is giving you." (Deuteronomy 5:16)

 Shared by Joe Gatuslao