Love Dare Day 29

There are days... days when Frank says or does something that just rubs me wrong.  Or makes me angry.  There are days when, even though I love him, I don't like him very much.  And I know that there are many days when I am not so lovable either.  Probably several times in one day.  Some days, it can even be hard to love, if I am honest.

Our moods, feelings, and emotions are always changing, going up and down.  Aren't you glad that we have a constant in our lives... God.  When God is at the center of my heart, when He is my reason for showing love, my ability to love is guaranteed.  That's because God IS love.  Not just that He HAS it, He IS it.

I never really knew what all love entailed until I got married.  This kind of love is not determined by my spouse's attitude or how well we are getting along (although... his attitude usually determines that!)  My focus in my marriage should be to honor the Lord.  The fact that my honoring the Lord reaps some benefit for Frank.. well, that's just the cherry on top.

Loving out of a sense of obligation will not last long.  And loving ONLY when things are good will not have the assurance of surviving.  Only a love that is from God will be able to sustain itself when there don't seem to be any reasons left to keep going.

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 SHOW LOVE TO THEM IN SOME TANGIBLE WAY.  THANK GOD FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF LOVING YOUR SPOUSE.

I pray for Frank everyday in my quiet time.  And sometimes several times throughout the day as he comes to mind... which is often.  I promise you that since I started doing this REGULARLY, I have seen a tremendous difference in my marriage.  Things are not the same.  They are not like they used to be-in a good way.  And I do attribute it to a lot of prayer.  Not for God to change him, but for God to be with him and help him be all that HE wants for Frank.  

I don't know about you guys, but mediocre is NOT a word I want to describe my marriage....