I should really be getting ready for church ... SO, just gonna jump on in there today ... K?
"He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers." - 1John 3:16
So, do you not just love it when your love sees a need that you have and meets that need, all without you having to say a word? When he/she goes out of their way to be or do exactly what you need to lighten your load, brighten your day or just lift you up - no matter what the cost to them? Guess what - they like that too. Probably even love it.
Because THAT is what love does.
Love sacrifices itself for the other.
There is a Christmas story (and I cannot think of the name of either it or the author at the moment and do not have time to google - I just know that Marie Osmond played the wife in the movie ... random, I know) in which a very poor - but very much in love - couple are searching for ways to show their love for Christmas. He has one prized possession, a family heirloom gold pocket watch. She has a prized possession too, her long, lovely hair. In a quest to make their spouses happy they each sell what means the most to them, to give what would mean so much to the other. The thing is, he sells the watch to get her expensive hair accessories, she sells her hair to get him a chain for his treasured watch... They each make a sacrifice for their love. And the new possessions end up meaning so much more...
THAT is what love does - it gives up what is important to us when the one we love is in need. She gives up her night out to stay and help him with a project at home. He gives up his football game to take her on a therapeutic shopping trip. They may seem small, but they are not always small, easy, sacrifices. Sometimes it gets difficult. Really difficult.
And, at times, the most difficult part of all, is seeing the need. If your man is like mine, he keeps his pain wrapped up so that it does not hurt you. And, if she is like most women in the world, she expects you to read between the lines. The point is, it is not always easy to know when our spouse is in need, or what is even is that they need. So, what do we do then?
It is sooooo important to be someone that your spouse can come to with their needs. We have to remember that whole "love them like we want to be loved" part of love. If it was you, you would want to be able to approach your love with a need and know that the need would be appreciated and, if at all possible, met lovingly. Right? So, that is what we need to be and do for the one that we love.
It is way too easy to not have that kind of love though. Again, the world does not train us for that kind of love. Society tells us that life is meant to meet our needs RIGHT NOW! Are you hungry? Drive through! Are you tired? Caffeine laced energy drinks to pump you up! Are you needing something, but to busy to shop? Internet and FedEx baby! The world is designed to give you a way to meet your need RIGHT NOW. Charge it (don't save), Nuke it (don't cook over a hot stove), order it (don't cook at all), blah, blah, blah ....
But, the hard part of all of this, is that it is not personal! It is meant to meet your deepest - and most selfish needs - at the blink of an eye. But it does not take the time to KNOW you, to care for you and to see who you really are and what you really need. I mean, REALLY need. Not just want.
But, love, LOVE is a place where you are known. A place where more than your wants are considered. A place where your NEEDS are seen, taken into account and met . . . PERSONALLY. And, a place where you meet there's.
Love lays down it's life for it's brothers (and friends, family and - especially - spouse). We cannot expect our love to know what we need and be there for us, if we cannot give the same way. So, how well do you know your love? Well enough to know when they have a need - even if they never say it out loud? And, are you a safe enough place for them to say that need - out loud - if you do miss the signs? I hope so. I PRAY so. And, if not, I pray that you will find a way that you can be.
TODAY'S DARE
What is one of the greatest needs in your spouse's life right now? Is there a need you could lift from their shoulders by a daring act of sacrifice on your part? Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet their need.
Marriage is give and take - but, do you take more than you give? Take today's dare as an opportunity to turn that all around!
See ya tomorrow!
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