Day 7- Love Believes the Best
Good Morning Dare Angels! Yesterdays assignment had 3 parts: 1) react to tough circumstances in loving ways instead of irritation 2)make a list of areas in your schedule that you need to add a little margin (time) and 3)list any wrong motivations you need to release from your life
I called Tom at work last night to again ask him if there was anything I could do for him. He said he was coming home because his head hurt so much he couldn't stand it. My initial thought was "oh great, here we go". I don't know about your situation, but in my house, Tom NEVER complains about a single thing in life......until he is sick. Then he goes full blown regression to the point where I want to go dig out a nuk from the baby storage and pop it in his mouth! So, my first thought was "great". Then the Lord gently said "what a perfect time to exercise todays assignment!"...Ugh! Are you kiddin' me? I know God does not want Tom to be sick, but I think he laughed with me as I realized I was soon going to be put to the test. I had 20 minutes to mentally prepare.
I lay his favorite sweats, t-shirt and sweatshirt along with warm socks out on the bed. I had his side of the bed pulled back and pillows fluffed. I had soup options on hand. When he came home I drew him a hot bath. When he whimpered and moaned, I said an encouraging word (without rolling my eyes!). When he thrashed around all night I blessed him instead of cursed him. It was really quite fun. I have heard it said many times, "do things unto the Lord, not unto man". I have always agreed with it, and tried to live by it. It's just one of those things that is easier said than done. Well, I have to say that this challenge is making it easier to live to please the Lord. I am having fun. The revelations that are hard to swallow are still fun because I know they will bring about change. I also see this truth: by the end of this challenge, Tom will not necessarily have changed, but I will have changed dramatically! As my heart goes through an overall, I imagine Tom will respond to me differently, but I will be the one who has made the most changes! Can I get an Amen?!
Question two became obvious yesterday as I was more eager to help my friends than play with my kids. I need to fit my family into my life. I have become tunnel visioned with my goals. At times I find myself treating my kids as an interruption instead of a blessing. When I view them as an interruption, anything they do will irritate me- even when they are being cute. tom and the kids are my first job right now. I will return to trusting the Lord to give me the hours that I need to accomplish the things I am to focus on at this time. What good is reaching my goals if I reach them alone? I want my kids and Tom there with me!
As for wrong motivations....I haven't had any revelation on that. I don't believe my motives have been wrong, I believe the way I view the things that I am motivated by have been misplaced. As I focus on number 1 and 2, I believe number 3 will work itself out.
Keep the feedback coming.....I love it!
Todays Assignment:
The first few days the reading that goes with each day has been okay, but nothing earth shattering profound. Today's however, I really loved. If you have a chance read Day 7- Love Believes the Best. It's only 3 pages. If you don't want to buy the book, just stand in Target and read it right there!
Today, get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place (VERY secret place) for another day. there is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having that characteristic.
Questions:
Which list was easier to make? What did this reveal about your thoughts? What attributes did you thank your spouse for having?
Philippians 4:8 If there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things.
Love you all-
Jen
I called Tom at work last night to again ask him if there was anything I could do for him. He said he was coming home because his head hurt so much he couldn't stand it. My initial thought was "oh great, here we go". I don't know about your situation, but in my house, Tom NEVER complains about a single thing in life......until he is sick. Then he goes full blown regression to the point where I want to go dig out a nuk from the baby storage and pop it in his mouth! So, my first thought was "great". Then the Lord gently said "what a perfect time to exercise todays assignment!"...Ugh! Are you kiddin' me? I know God does not want Tom to be sick, but I think he laughed with me as I realized I was soon going to be put to the test. I had 20 minutes to mentally prepare.
I lay his favorite sweats, t-shirt and sweatshirt along with warm socks out on the bed. I had his side of the bed pulled back and pillows fluffed. I had soup options on hand. When he came home I drew him a hot bath. When he whimpered and moaned, I said an encouraging word (without rolling my eyes!). When he thrashed around all night I blessed him instead of cursed him. It was really quite fun. I have heard it said many times, "do things unto the Lord, not unto man". I have always agreed with it, and tried to live by it. It's just one of those things that is easier said than done. Well, I have to say that this challenge is making it easier to live to please the Lord. I am having fun. The revelations that are hard to swallow are still fun because I know they will bring about change. I also see this truth: by the end of this challenge, Tom will not necessarily have changed, but I will have changed dramatically! As my heart goes through an overall, I imagine Tom will respond to me differently, but I will be the one who has made the most changes! Can I get an Amen?!
Question two became obvious yesterday as I was more eager to help my friends than play with my kids. I need to fit my family into my life. I have become tunnel visioned with my goals. At times I find myself treating my kids as an interruption instead of a blessing. When I view them as an interruption, anything they do will irritate me- even when they are being cute. tom and the kids are my first job right now. I will return to trusting the Lord to give me the hours that I need to accomplish the things I am to focus on at this time. What good is reaching my goals if I reach them alone? I want my kids and Tom there with me!
As for wrong motivations....I haven't had any revelation on that. I don't believe my motives have been wrong, I believe the way I view the things that I am motivated by have been misplaced. As I focus on number 1 and 2, I believe number 3 will work itself out.
Keep the feedback coming.....I love it!
Todays Assignment:
The first few days the reading that goes with each day has been okay, but nothing earth shattering profound. Today's however, I really loved. If you have a chance read Day 7- Love Believes the Best. It's only 3 pages. If you don't want to buy the book, just stand in Target and read it right there!
Today, get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place (VERY secret place) for another day. there is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having that characteristic.
Questions:
Which list was easier to make? What did this reveal about your thoughts? What attributes did you thank your spouse for having?
Philippians 4:8 If there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things.
Love you all-
Jen
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