Dare:
Recognize that David is integral to our future success. Let him know today that I want to include him in my upcoming decisions, and that I need his perspective and counsel. If I've ignored his input in the past, admit my oversight and ask him to forgive me.
Okay, so most of the time I include David on decision making, but not always. I try to let him know what's going on, but do I seek his insight? Not always. Today is a good chance because I need to think about things to do while my mom is visiting. I'll ask him what he thinks. Start there.
Result:
I asked David to pick me up at work and we drove for a while and then stopped for dinner. It was nice to just spend time with him and talk. I don't know if we were making any decisions, but just talking. And don't decisions come out of knowing your partner better and what he thinks about issues? It was a good night.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Day 32 - Love Dare - Love Meets Sexual Needs
Dare:
If at all possible, try to initiate sex with David today. Do this in a way that honors what David has told me abouth what he needs from me sexually. Ask God to make this enjoyable for both of us as well as a path to greater intimacy.
Well, this is not a subject I want to blog about - and I know my kids definitely don't want to hear about. I knew some dare like this would be thrown in here. I can see why it was put in so late in the list. This one will be kind of tough so, of course, another item of prayer.
Results:
All I have to say is, it's none of your business.
If at all possible, try to initiate sex with David today. Do this in a way that honors what David has told me abouth what he needs from me sexually. Ask God to make this enjoyable for both of us as well as a path to greater intimacy.
Well, this is not a subject I want to blog about - and I know my kids definitely don't want to hear about. I knew some dare like this would be thrown in here. I can see why it was put in so late in the list. This one will be kind of tough so, of course, another item of prayer.
Results:
All I have to say is, it's none of your business.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Day 31 - Love Dare - Love and Marriage
Dare:
Is there a "leaving" issue I haven't been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to David today and resolve to make it right.
I wish I had a "leaving" issue. I haven't lived near my parents since we got married. I'm lucky if I get to see them once a year. I'm terrible about phone calls and letters, not that I don't think of them often. So, I wonder if the "leaving" issue for me went way too far the other way because there are times I resent always having to live near David's family at the sacrifice of contact with mine (who, by the way, we rarely see now - David's family). Hmmm, not that's an issue for me to work on.
Results:
I'm ashamed to say I didn't pray much about this today. Thought I was too busy, but when I think about my day, I had plenty of opportunity. I really need to get serious about the prayer thing. How can I hope to accomplish much without prayer? Hey, I have an idea. Anyone that reads this, you pray for me that I will pray. That would be a whole lot of prayer.
Is there a "leaving" issue I haven't been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to David today and resolve to make it right.
I wish I had a "leaving" issue. I haven't lived near my parents since we got married. I'm lucky if I get to see them once a year. I'm terrible about phone calls and letters, not that I don't think of them often. So, I wonder if the "leaving" issue for me went way too far the other way because there are times I resent always having to live near David's family at the sacrifice of contact with mine (who, by the way, we rarely see now - David's family). Hmmm, not that's an issue for me to work on.
Results:
I'm ashamed to say I didn't pray much about this today. Thought I was too busy, but when I think about my day, I had plenty of opportunity. I really need to get serious about the prayer thing. How can I hope to accomplish much without prayer? Hey, I have an idea. Anyone that reads this, you pray for me that I will pray. That would be a whole lot of prayer.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Day 30 - Love Dare - Love Brings Unity
Dare:
Isolate one area of division in my marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in my own heart that is threatening oneness with David. Pray the He would do the same for David. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.
Okay, the instructions are to pray and I will need to because I'm not aware of anything that is dividing our marriage. If there is anything, please God, show me and show David. I will be observant for your answer.
Result:
Still praying - God hasn't revealed anything to me yet, or I'm just too pigheaded to see it.
Isolate one area of division in my marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in my own heart that is threatening oneness with David. Pray the He would do the same for David. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.
Okay, the instructions are to pray and I will need to because I'm not aware of anything that is dividing our marriage. If there is anything, please God, show me and show David. I will be observant for your answer.
Result:
Still praying - God hasn't revealed anything to me yet, or I'm just too pigheaded to see it.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Day 29 - Love Dare - Love's Motivation
Dare:
Before I see David again today, pray for him by name and his needs. Say "I love you," then express love to him in some tangile way. Go to God in prayer again, thanking Him for giving me the privilege of loving this one special person - unconditionally, the way He loves both of us.
I'm up before David, so I can pray for him and I can go in and say "I love you." Piece of cake. Now I have to think of some tangible way to show him I love him. Hmmmm, that's going to take some thinking. Get back to you on that one.
Result:
I did pray and went in and told David I loved him. He asked me why I was telling him. Hmmm, why did he ask that? I told him just because I love him. We used to do that all the time - just say "I love you" occasionally. Guess that just shows how much we've taken each other for granted. Anyway, he went to take and shower and I got his clothes out for him, something I never do. It felt good. I need to keep looking for little opportunities to do things for him. It also seems that David isn't as irritable as normal. He even said his back hurt a lot yesterday, something that always puts him in a bad mood. Yet, he wasn't. Because God is working on me, and I'm actually listening, He is helping me make things better for David. Wow, God is awesome.
Before I see David again today, pray for him by name and his needs. Say "I love you," then express love to him in some tangile way. Go to God in prayer again, thanking Him for giving me the privilege of loving this one special person - unconditionally, the way He loves both of us.
I'm up before David, so I can pray for him and I can go in and say "I love you." Piece of cake. Now I have to think of some tangible way to show him I love him. Hmmmm, that's going to take some thinking. Get back to you on that one.
Result:
I did pray and went in and told David I loved him. He asked me why I was telling him. Hmmm, why did he ask that? I told him just because I love him. We used to do that all the time - just say "I love you" occasionally. Guess that just shows how much we've taken each other for granted. Anyway, he went to take and shower and I got his clothes out for him, something I never do. It felt good. I need to keep looking for little opportunities to do things for him. It also seems that David isn't as irritable as normal. He even said his back hurt a lot yesterday, something that always puts him in a bad mood. Yet, he wasn't. Because God is working on me, and I'm actually listening, He is helping me make things better for David. Wow, God is awesome.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Day 28 - Love Dare - Love Makes Sacrifices
Dare:
What is one of the greatest needs in David life right now? Is there a need I could lift from his shoulders today by a daring acto of sacrifice on my part? Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what I can to meet the need.
David seems to have starting a new Sunday School class on his mind. So, what can I do to help? I know he's concerned about curriculum. Maybe I could look that up for him.
Result:
Yes, I googled and found all sorts of information to David and went and presented it to him. I don't know if he even appreciated it, but I did it. I spent time I would have normally spent looking for stuff for me (or playing games) and did this for him. It was such a tiny sacrifice. It doesn't seem big enough. Did I hit the intention of the dare? I'm not sure I did. I'll keep working on this one too.
What is one of the greatest needs in David life right now? Is there a need I could lift from his shoulders today by a daring acto of sacrifice on my part? Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what I can to meet the need.
David seems to have starting a new Sunday School class on his mind. So, what can I do to help? I know he's concerned about curriculum. Maybe I could look that up for him.
Result:
Yes, I googled and found all sorts of information to David and went and presented it to him. I don't know if he even appreciated it, but I did it. I spent time I would have normally spent looking for stuff for me (or playing games) and did this for him. It was such a tiny sacrifice. It doesn't seem big enough. Did I hit the intention of the dare? I'm not sure I did. I'll keep working on this one too.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Day 27 - Love Dare - Love Encourages
Dare:
Eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations in my home. Think of one area where David told me I'm expecting too much and tell him I'm sorry for being so hard on him about it. Promise him that I'll seek to understand, and assure him of my unconditional love.
Here's another area where I don't think I'm so bad, but then again, maybe I am. I have a habit of thinking through conversations we are going to have and writing the scripts in my head. Then when it doesn't go the way I expected, I pout and shut down. So I guess I'm expecting him to do things my way and it's obvious when it doesn't. Guess that's where I'll start.
Results:
Okay, nothing came up for this yesterday, but it will. I know it will because I do have these internal plots going on and there will be one that doesn't go my way. So, I will try to keep my mind and my eye open for when this comes up.
Eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations in my home. Think of one area where David told me I'm expecting too much and tell him I'm sorry for being so hard on him about it. Promise him that I'll seek to understand, and assure him of my unconditional love.
Here's another area where I don't think I'm so bad, but then again, maybe I am. I have a habit of thinking through conversations we are going to have and writing the scripts in my head. Then when it doesn't go the way I expected, I pout and shut down. So I guess I'm expecting him to do things my way and it's obvious when it doesn't. Guess that's where I'll start.
Results:
Okay, nothing came up for this yesterday, but it will. I know it will because I do have these internal plots going on and there will be one that doesn't go my way. So, I will try to keep my mind and my eye open for when this comes up.
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