My Love Dare: Day 12

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ~ Philippians 2:4

Day 12: Love lets the other win

Uh oh. 

I don't like to lose.  I don't like to be wrong.  Even more - I don't like to admit I'm wrong. I will argue my point even when I realize I might be wrong.  I am incredibly stubborn.

Some things are worth standing up for: our priorities, our morals, our obedience to God.  Standing up for other things can be a waste of time and productivity.  And it can wreck havoc in a marriage.  We have to figure out what is truly worth standing up for and when we need to bend.

We can start by asking ourselves: Is being right, or getting my own way more important than the health of my marriage? 

I know, right?  Puts a whole lot of things right into perspective for me.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 2:5

An attitude of willingness, flexibility, and humility.

TODAY'S DARE:  DEMONSTRATE LOVE BY WILLINGLY CHOOSING TO GIVE IN TO AN AREA OF DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE.  TELL THEM YOU ARE PUTTING THEIR PREFERENCE FIRST.

The man of the house and I were facing a couple of choices for an upcoming date.  I knew the choice he was leaning toward would involve some stress and tension for me.  And I could have been a brat about it.  Instead, I made the choice to allow him to make the choice about our plans for that day and put his preference ahead of my own.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ~ Romans 12:18

My Love Dare: Day 4

How precious also are Your thoughts to me... How vast is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. ~ Psalm 139: 17-1

Day 4: Love is thoughtful

I think about The Man of the House a lot.  I mean a LOT! 

But does that mean am I thoughtful?

Do I think of his needs and wants and do my best to meet them - without having to be asked?  Do I try to meet in the middle and compromise - or even give in - on things that matter to him?  Do I try to understand his point of view and feelings on things?  Do I think of ways to demonstrate my love for him?  Where can I improve on these things to be more thoughtful?

Sadly, my answer to too many of those questions is "No", "Not really", or "Not often enough".  I am a stubborn creature.  I want things done my way.  I'm often unyielding in my opinions. 

Wow... you know what?  I just realized...  I'm kind of a brat!!  Another area where I need some serious work.

TODAY'S DARE:  CONTACT YOUR SPOUSE SOMETIME DURING THE BUSINESS OF THE DAY.  HAVE NO AGENDA OTHER THAN ASKING HOW HE OR SHE IS DOING AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU COULD DO FOR THEM.

I sent The Man of the House a text and asked him if there anything he needed me to do for him that day.  Obviously I wasn't there to see his reaction, but I like to think he had to pick his jaw up off his desk. Ha! 

As a matter of fact, he needed some help taping the front door to prepare it for painting.  A task I happily helped with.  OK... I did some of it... 

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. ~ Philippians 1:3