Every marriage guidance book worth its salt rightly emphasises that good communication between a husband and wife is central to a happy marriage. In his book ‘The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts’, Rev. Dr. Gary Chapman (Associate Pastor and experienced marriage counsellor), with wisdom and humour, teaches you and your spouse how to communicate with each other more effectively by identifying the five love languages – five primary ways that people express and understand love. These five love languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service or physical touch.

Gary Chapman has identified from his many years of marriage counselling that if you are expressing love in a language that isn’t your spouse’s primary love language then it can lead to frustration, tension and eventually, tragically, even the break-up of the marriage because, though the love is being expressed by you, it is not being recognised or valued by your spouse. But encouragingly he also says, ‘Once you identify and learn to speak your spouse’s primary love language, I believe that you will have discovered the key to a long-lasting, loving marriage.’ As the divorce rate in the UK remains tragically high, this book is a valuable resource to help couples strengthen their love and their marriage. Every married couple in the Free Church should read this book – I have given a copy of it to several friends as a wedding gift.

There are also other books in the 5 Love Languages Series worth a read, including ‘The 5 Love Languages: Singles Edition’ and ‘The 5 Love Languages of Children'.

Alasdair B.M. Macleod, Stornoway Free Church