Good Morning Girls!  What motivates us to love our spouse?  When we first met, we were often motivated to show love and affection to them because it brought us a desired response.  The more they loved on us, the more we wanted to love on them.  We were motivated by the reward.  But what happens when the rewards no longer come?  What happens when we continue to take care of our mate, and they quit responding to it?  Where then do we get our motivation? 
The Word tells us to do it "as to the Lord".  We pray for our husbands.  We wash their clothes, buy the groceries, and pick up after them.  We support them.  We respect them.  We honor their position as head of the house.  We do these things not because we want to or feel like doing them.  We do these things not because they are fun or even rewarding.  We do these things because the Lord has given us these men (without a return receipt), to honor and respect and love.  They are our "heavenly assignment" if you will.  When we are able to go to God and say "Good Morning Lord, what would you like me to do for Tom today?", it makes the day to day tasks fun.  It's like God gives you a special assignment, and you get to secretly carry it out.  It is much easier to hear "orders" from the One who loves us unconditionally at all times.  It is easy to make sacrifices to the One who laid his life down for us.  Much easier than it is to make sacrifices for the one who laid down his dirty underwear for us! 
Another thing about motivation.....Do you realize that you motivate your husband every day?  You do!  The question is not whether or not you motivate him.  The question is What do you motivate him to do? Do you motivate him to excel in his career, or do you motivate him to stay at work longer so he doesn't have to come home to a nagging wife?  Do you motivate him to help out around the house by thanking him each time he does something regardless of how small it is?  Or do you motivate him to stay clear of you so he is not bombarded by a honey-do list that shows no gratitude?  Do you motivate him to notice you by taking interest in him first?  Or do you motivate him to retreat to the tv so he can avoid another "why don't you love me anymore" breakdown?   Take some time to examine how you are "motivating" your spouse.

Update:
I prayed over Tom in front of Tom today.  Bumbled through like an idiot.  He said "thank-you" in the same tone he says "nope" when I ask him if I can do anything for him.  I am going to do it every morning.  Who knows, maybe one morning he will say "I would like to pray for you".  Regardless of what he does, I will continue.
Didn't ask him about work.  I decided to wait until I would be able to handle his response.  Maybe in Mexico it will be a more relaxed non committal discussion.

I do plan on continuing over the weekend.  In the past we have taken the weekends off.  If I work through this weekend we will finish our last day the day before I leave.  I am expecting to Lord to bring me new direction as I lay by the pool!

Today's assignment:
Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs.  Whether it comes easy for you or not, say "I love you," then express love to them in some tangible way (what does that mean?) Go to God in prayer again, thanking him for giving you the privilege of loving this one special person-unconditionally, the way He loves both of you.

Questions:
How will this change of motivation affect your relationship and reactions?  What does this inspire you to do?  What does it inspire you to stop doing?

Colossians 3:23 Do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men

Love you all-
Jen