Love Cherishes

Today's Dare is to cherish the one you love. When things get a little tough, how do you cherish the one you love. This was a great devotional to read upon returning from Thanksgiving. However, for some reason instead of thinking about how thankful I am for the blessings from God, I thought about all the selfish things in my mind. It was a trying Thanksgiving and I kept blaming all my feelings on other people but in reality it was my not cherishing the relationships around me that made me angry. I needed to cherish the family surrounding me and the joys that will be involved in living life. I need to cherish my husband more, in that when he asks something of me I do it graciously and lovingly instead of with a heart that is full of malice. Today I'm thinking about ways to cherish loved ones. To understand that sometimes everyone needs a pick me up and that in doing so I support their lifestyles whether they are the same as mine or not.

For my husband, I will love and cherish him the rest of my life. He is the best thing that has happened to me and I'm so very grateful for his love, patience and understanding everyday. Especially when I'm a little nutso...So today treat your husband like your most prized item, shower him with love, show him in little ways how wonderful life is together for in this is the prize of a lifetime!

Love makes good impressions

Let's play a little game....when you haven't seen your mom for a few weeks, how do you greet her? When you haven't seen a friend for a while, what is your initial greeting for them? Do you remember your smile? The hug? The excitement and laughter? How about your children? Do you remember how your children/nieces/nephews ran up to you when they haven't seen you to greet you? Do you remember how they would continue to do that over and over even after a minute? Do you remember how when you came home from a bad day at the office, they ran and hugged you fiercely because they missed you?

Now let's think about how we greet our spouse. The person we are spending eternity with, are you as exuberant with your greeting? Does a smile the size of your face occur when you see them? Do you think they can hear your excitement over the phone just in seeing their number pop up?

Think about how you start your day with your spouse. Is it a to do list or is it laughter? Do you serve them or are you a grump? Have you put aside your own needs to ensure their day will run smoothly? Can you imagine how much better life would be if you started everyday with a smile, a giggle and a hug?

Try it today, hug your spouse in the morning, smile when they call and greet them exuberantly when you arrive home today!

Love is not Irritable - Day 6, times 2

Love isn't prideful, lustful, irritable. Love doesn't get angry for anger is selfish. Love doesn't focus on possession or greed, lust for another's objects or person. Love encourages, forgives, appreciates and is slow to anger. We have learned that anger can come from many avenues, tiredness, selfishness, worry, guilt. We have also learned that all of these can be alleviated through prayer. Venting vertically we call it. When you do something wrong, tell God, let the guilt and worry about it roll off your shoulders so God can catch it and make it better. Build each other up, whether friends, coworkers or spouses. Take the moments to say what has been so for you and build each other up to create loving relationships.

Love does for others not because they get something. Love just does things to create a life for others that is increasing good. Love wants the best for those around them and will help others achieve their best. Love takes the talents God has given them and uses them to benefit others. Love tells others what is good and righteous about them, what they grow from learning from others. Love is what makes this world go around.

Love isn't irritable, take a moment and create some margin in your life. Spend a Day Alone With God and get right. Then share this love with others and enjoy the joy that surrounds you.