Love Language: “FOOD!”

(Mark 8:1-8)

I love thinking of topics that I can find Bible scripture references to. I think it’s fun, but it also shows how God knows and understands how human we are, straight down to our basic needs of how we need to be loved.

When you look back in Biblical history, most encounters of fellowship involved food. Banquets for the Kings, sharing wine, wedding parties, breaking bread with visitors, Jesus feeding multitudes of people with 5 loaves of bread and 3 fish, manna from Heaven, that fed the children of Israel during their exodus from Egypt to the Promised land. Even when food was scarce, it was being shared. Food, was the epitome of relating to one another, because people all had one thing in common……hunger.

Feeding people has always been a love language. It has been my love language. ONE of them.

When we break bread together, we are sharing. When we eat with one another, we are being vulnerable. We are fulfilling needs and having needs fulfilled. There is a give and take and give some more, situation happening when food is present. You are giving and getting satisfaction and relief. The satisfaction happens, seeing people enjoy a meal and becoming full. Relief, is eating and having ones hunger quenched. It involves all of the senses: tastes, touch, hearing, feeling, seeing……and finally…… experiencing!

I enjoy the simplicity yet intensity behind the feelings and emotions that good food, can create. If the food is VERY good, you sort of get lost in the flavors, and throw being prim and proper to the side for a moment. It is that small space of time, during that first bite, where that burst of joy, excitement, surprise, satisfaction, and also how one truly looks when they eat, are on full display. Everyone is transparent at that instant.

I love watching people eat and enjoy their food. For me, it gives me a sense of safety, because, If I see someone hungry, having their hunger fulfilled, I do not feel stressed. That is due in part to the missionary in me……Making sure people do not go hungry when I can, is a part of my life.

When someone gives me a plate of food, especially if they took their time making it (even if it has an acquired taste), I feel anticipated, cared for, and in some cases, loved, by such a sacrificial gesture. It is personal. The fact that it leaves room for mistakes to be made, also shows bravery and courage. Cooking for people that may not like it, is brave and can be nerve wracking…..knowing you may be criticized; and courageous, because you put your heart and hope into it. The hope that the person or people eating your food will like it. Knowing someone’s love language is respecting and caring for their needs and how they feel loved. Communicating your love language shows the other person or people that you need them, they are important to you and need to know, and how you want them close to your heart and occupying space in your life.