Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
—Ephesians 4:32
Today's Dare
In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.
God is GOOD! Today is Father’s Day, so of course the day was filled with acts of kindness. I let Hubby sleep in, as he always does on a Sunday. He slept till 11.30 am! LOL the kids are sick, flu, and runny tummies, so I was up and down with them for most part of the morning. Once daddy got up, we got ready to take him to lunch for Father’s Day. Luckily the meds I had given the kids throughout the morning had kicked in, so they were up for the outing! We saw hubby’s sister at the restaurant and she and her husband were there with her in-laws as well. We spent some time chatting with them and then we went to our own table. The kids enjoyed playing in the play area, but my son was very up and down. Then he would go run and play, then he would sit with me being very clingy…. Hubby and I had a lot of time to ourselves to talk, which was so nice. I brought up, the praying together as a couple again, but I could see he was uncomfortable with it (as am I), but we will take baby steps on this.
His sister and them left and later on we received a text from her, to ask us to come over to their house when we were done. Normally I would not encourage this, but today’s dare being an unexpected act of kindness, I agreed. After lunch/supper we went to his sister and spent the better part of the evening there. She spoke about the girl’s hunting weekend that I did not go on, and as suspected, the younger girls drank a lot. I could see hubby was grateful that I did not go, and so was I.
We went home, bathed the kids, got them ready for bed, and got an early night ourselves.
Scripture:
Colossians 2
20 You have died with Christ and are set free from the ruling spirits of the universe. Why, then, do you live as though you belonged to this world? Why do you obey such rules as21 Don't handle this, Don't taste that, Don't touch the other?22 All these refer to things which become useless once they are used; they are only human rules and teachings.23 Of course such rules appear to be based on wisdom in their forced worship of angels, and false humility, and severe treatment of the body; but they have no real value in controlling physical passions.
1 You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God.2 Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth.3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.4 Your real life is Christ and when he appears, then you too will appear with him and share his glory!
What a way to start round 2. God is so faithful in His promises to me. Praise Him ALWAYS!
Think about this....
Your marriage under Christ is to be one... Think really hard what that means. You should be not ashamed about anything. You are one.
You know secrets about each other... You have seen each other naked... You have lived in the most vulnerable times that would embarrass you to others. Yet you do not feel comfortable praying together?
Now I am not judging you... I just wanted to point this out to give you something to think about.
Seek that strength from Christ. Even if you start just kneeling together and holding hands as you pray silently together. One can finish before the other.
But never be ashamed of doing things in the lord together, especially when you are ok with worldly pleasures together.
I know right!? Our traditions in both our upbringings did not include ever praying together as a family. how weird is that, actually more sad than weird. we both were brought up very conservatively. our churches were a little different, but I have attended church more by myself that ever with my mother and father. I don't think hubby attended church much at all. So while we were growing up, it has always been something we do by ourselves because it is a personal choice. now however, we do attend church together, hubby, myself and the kids. I suppose we are uncomfortable with praying out loud together, because we do not know any better. I suppose stage fright is the best way to put it? I normally have a lot to say, but what if the words just won't come because I know someone else other than God is listening to what I pray. I am a lot more confident praying and confessing my deepest darkest secrets to Christ, who knows everything already than what I am sharing that with my husband. I have given this a great deal of thought and thought we should still have our separate prayer and devotions times, but that we could pray together for specific things like the house we are looking for... Maybe like you suggest, start with holding hands while praying. That might make us feel closer already. Thanks for the advise.