Day 8 June 22, 2008
Day 8: Love is not jealous
Love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire.
—Song of Solomon 8:6 NIV
TODAY’S DARE
Determine to become your spouse’s biggest fan and to reject any thoughts of jealousy. To help you set your heart on your spouse and focus on their achievements, take yesterday’s list of negative attributes and discreetly burn it. Then share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed.
It was very hard to discard the negative list. I sat in front of the fireplace thinking about everything which was on the list even things which happened this week...I thought to myself "How can I burn this. Shouldn't I remember?" I learned just how much I keep record of wrong.
I prayed, this scripture was spoken to my heart - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Cor. 13:4-5
I felt I knew what I had to next, I went to find all the records I had for Steve. People who know me, know I save everything especially medical paperwork. I have binders and folders full of paperwork. I found the records I had been keeping on Steve, the stuff I was keeping "just in case" I needed to build a case. The journal entries I read to Steve he was ashamed of and asked me to throw away, but I didn't. The list I had made years ago about negative things in our marriage. The separation plan I typed up with charts and graphs in 2005.
As they burned in the fire I felt God freeing me. God is teaching me to love my husband and no longer keep records.
The recent success I shared with my husband was an award he received last week. His supervisor wants to train him to be a supervisor. Every Tuesday after work he has to go to classes until 10pm. Last week the instructor asked a question none had been able to answer in his 8 years of teaching the class. Steve got the answer right and received an award. He was very excited and I was very proud.
I told him, "I am glad about the award you received last week. It confirmed, partly, why I am proud of you...You are a shining star wherever you are..."
Praying. Praying all the time. Hoping. Sending hope and hugs your way...his way...the kids' way.
ReplyDeleteApplauding your efforts ((( ♥♥♥ )))
ReplyDeleteLiving in the presence of sincere love, despite all of life’s challenges, takes courage. We must first learn to love ourselves, while knowing like us all of mankind is subject to err.
We must overcome the desire to point fingers, are assign fault.
When we cease to be the victim, we become the victor, and our challenge then is to overcome without controlling, to triumph without trampling.
It is written, “ Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”
God’s kingdom is LOVE!. As hard as it is to fully understand the sovereign wisdom of God in matters of unconditional love, the scriptures give us a perfect example, “Hosea & Gomer”. Study it!
The journey ahead is not easy, the lesson may be harsh, but with continued effort I believe you will prevail, one step at a time.
You are making measured strives. Don’t give up.
Much Love (((♥♥♥)))
Sista/Cousin