The Love Dare #2

I am proud to say that Gene and I successfully completed Dare #1. We were completely positive with one another all day yesterday. I guess that is not such a huge accomplishment because most people can guard their mouths for 24 hours. We are on to Dare #2 and apparently these dares build on one another. Dare #2 is to show kindness to your spouse in the form of an unexpected gesture of kindness, in addition to not saying anything negative to him. I think that's tricky. Don't you? I thought after 24 hours I could go back to my little sarcastic self. I'm not terribly sarcastic, mind you, but sometimes a little sarcasm seems necessary. According to this book, that's not true.

I will not see Gene today. Isn't that sad? It is a typical Friday for us though. He left this morning around 7:15 a.m. and will get home sometime around 11:00 p.m., so it will be difficult to perform a random act of kindness today. This dare will take us through the weekend. I am already thinking about what my random act of kindness should be. Maybe I should iron his clothes Saturday and Sunday morning. He normally irons his own clothes each and every morning. If you are one of those wives who irons your man's clothes everyday, more power to you. I am not one of those wives. I have enough to do just trying to get myself and two girls ready to go. Maybe coffee or breakfast in bed tomorrow morning after such a late night on Friday night. Maybe I should let him sleep late while I get up and watch the kids....Oh, wait...I do that every morning. Was that negative?

I don't know what my random act will be. I'll have to keep thinking about this one today.

Obviously, the little chapter that accompanies this dare is about kindness and the author of the book did a great job of explaining the difference between patience (from Dare #1) and kindness.

*Sentences taken from the book are in bold print.*
Kindness is love in action. If patience is how love reacts in order to minimize a negative circumstance; kindness is how love acts to maximize a positive circumstance. Patience avoids a problem; kindness creates a blessing. One is preventive, the other proactive. These two sides of love are the cornerstones on which many of the other attributes of love are built.

When you are operating from kindness, you're careful how you treat your spouse, never being unnecessarily harsh.
Being kind means you meet the needs of the moment. If your husband need to talk you listen. If he needs help with something, you stop what you are doing and help him. It graces a wife with the ability to serve her husband without worrying about her rights. (that means strike the remark about Gene sleeping in and me getting up with the girls)
Kindness inspires you to be agreeable rather than obstinate, reluctant, or stubborn.
Kindness thinks ahead, then takes the first step... it greets first, smiles first, serves first, and forgives first.

Wow! That is no small order is it?

Your enjoyment in marriage is linked to the daily level of kindness expressed.
True, so true!

"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

Changing the subject, I just got my book So Long Insecurity in the mail. This is the newest book by Beth Moore. I am very excited about this and hopefully through this Bible study I can lay some of my demons to rest.

Reagan is home sick today. She is coughing, sneezing, and her little nose is all stuffed up. She doesn't have any fever yet. Hopefully, she just has a little cold and nothing more. I feel sure Gracen will get this, so that means my next week will be fun. Oh well. Joys of motherhood, right?

Have a great day and show some kindness to your spouse today.