Picture this situation:Today's dare: Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your relationship in loving ways instead of irritation. Begin by making a list of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.
The kids have been at each other all day. The vacuum belt broke and the house smells like burnt rubber. The dog is barking at the neighbor's cat while you are trying to talk to a friend in need. Dinner is getting cold/overcooked because you talked to your husband an hour ago and he said he would be home in 20 minutes. When he finally gets home, he asks if that's dinner he smells burning...What is your response? Do you respond in anger or love? Do you think that maybe there is a good explanation as to why he is late or wonder if his day has been just as stressful as yours?
I know that I have been guilty of unloading on someone in anger. Sure it made me feel better for a moment but what about my better half, how did it make them feel?"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit mightier than he who captures a city." Proverbs 16:32
Surely the husband in that scenario had an equally as rough day. Surely he didn't keep you waiting on purpose. Of course his question about the burning smell was purely out of concern for your safety. How would your response effect him and his time at home.
We make thousands of choices each day, but the most important choice we make is to relate to our partners with respect and compassion. Our kind words might be the only nice thing they have heard all day. Our reaction to a tough circumstance can be the difference between a good day and a bad day and our choice to react in love can remind them that we love them no matter what.
Don't wait until to tomorrow to show grace to your loved one, do it today.
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