Dare #2 - Love is Kind

kindness. that word reminds me of elementary school for some reason. it reminds me of when i would do something mean to my sister and my mom would say, "now becca, be ye kind one to another!" we teach children kindness as early as possible. why? because by nature we are so not kind! kindness doesn't come naturally - at least it doesn't for me. 

this past week has been so lovely in my marriage. we are discovering things we love about each other again, things are new and exciting again. that's what is expected after a renewal to commitment. however, it didn't take long for that "honeymoon" stage to turn into selfishness on my part again. those old thoughts of "if he would just take the time to do this for me, then. . . " or "why can't you get up and feed the dog?" etc, etc, etc. . . once again entered my mind. those thoughts come from my sinful heart. to be truly kind can only be accomplished through viewing my husband as God sees me. i continually doubt God, i continually sin, i continually neglect to fully grasp His love, yet He still loves me. and, He still views me as righteous in His sight! not because of anything i do at all! but because of what HE did! so reality check - if that's how much God loves me, i should be bending over backwards to show that love to my God-given spouse. the man God placed specifically in my life for my specific sanctification. Here's where i became really convicted:

"Kindness thinks ahead, then takes the first step. It doesn't sit around waiting to be prompted or coerced before getting off the couch. The kind husband or wife will be the one who greets first, smiles first, serves first, and forgives first. They don't require the other to get his or her act together before showing love. When acting from kindness, you see the need, then make your move. First."

-taken from "The Love Dare"

yikes. it's easy to be kind when my husband is being kind to me. but, that won't always be the case. true kindness isn't based off of what your spouse does for you, it's based off of what you can do (lovingly and willingly) for your spouse. and why? because Christ has done even more for me.

"In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness." If you try this, let us know how it goes! and a reminder - don't do these dares expecting anything in return. do them, with the help of Christ, as an act of service to your spouse, expecting nothing in return. we can't do that on our own. we can only accomplish this with the help of God. 

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

"She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:26