Day 4

My mom used to say, "Time waits for no man." i have found that to be the truth. i'm almost tempted to make this an 80 day journey, as it seems i need TWO days to complete each dare. For now, we'll stick with the 40 day plan and i'll get myself together.

Speaking of mySELF. She rose her ugly head last night, but i wrestled her down and locked her in the basement. It was a close call though. Only kind words flowed from my mouth and i think even my face resisted the temptation to show disapproval. So, it was a good day.

Day 4 -- Love is Thoughtful

How precious also are Your thoughts to me.....How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. (Psalms 139:17-18).

Whew! There are really some gems here. The bottom line is that Love THINKS! "It is not a mindless feeling that rides on waves of emotion and falls asleep mentally. It keeps busy in thought knowing that loving thoughts precede loving actions."

Do you remember the early days of your relationship? Those days when your thoughts were consumed with him? Have you ever written in a card or said in person or over the phone, "I can't stop thinking about you?" You included that special someone in all of your thoughts and decisions. Fast forward a few years and then you find yourself thinking of and protecting mySELF, MY time, MY money, MY job, MY friends, MY, MY, MY and before you know it you have begun to systematically, albeit unintentionally, exclude your spouse.

"When was the last time you spent a few minutes thinking about how you could better understand and demonstrate love to your spouse? What immediate need can you meet? What's the next event (anniversary, birthday, holiday) you could be be preparing for?"

And how's this for a great line to wrap up the Love is Thoughtful section? "Great marriages come from great thinking."

Today's Dare:

Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have NO agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.

Another Confession: I am hesitating on this one. I already have soooo much on my plate. I'm afraid, he'll say, "yes, would you please ______________" Then I'd have to fit ANOTHER thing in to my already full day. A little vulnerability here.....look at the preceding sentence. Four I's and one MY. Guess it will take more than four days to realize that this isn't about ME.

Question: Do you think women are more adept than men at being thoughtful?

Hey, I gotta run, I think mySELF escaped from the basement.