CONCLUSIONS – HONOR OTHERS  (Day 6 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

It was a challenging week for me.

Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10b ESV

I spent far too much time pushing past reaction and trying to choose my behavior based on the kind of person I want to be. I had time around a few folks who were a bit abrupt.

It was tempting to step back and distance myself, rather than treat everyone kindly and respectfully.

How did y’all do? Were you able to find opportunities to show honor? Were you able to show special attention to your spouse? How did that play out? Were they blessed?

We’ve had another spate of cold weather (good thing I haven’t put my tomatoes out).

Time to snuggle up at home and work another jigsaw puzzle.

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Image credits – distressed woman © OSPAN ALI / Unsplash, jigsaw puzzle © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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CONCLUSIONS – DON’T ASSUME  (Day 6 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

How did your week go?

To learn, you have to listen. To improve, you have to try. Thomas Jefferson

Mine went pretty well.

I’m trying to look at folks through fresh eyes (especially my sweetie) and ask more questions up front. I’m also working to catch thoughts before they become words.

I also caught myself making a judgement about someone’s motivation. That was a grand pause and a prayer. There could have been any number of motivations, and I had to wonder why I picked that one. I gave myself a bit of self-talk and left the door open as to the why.

What did you learn? Were you able to drop a few assumptions? How did it impact your marriage relationship?

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Image credit © Marco / Adobe Stock
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CONCLUSIONS & RESOURCES – BE A GOOD FRIEND (Day 6 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

I had a number of you ask what to do with troubling friends.

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Proverbs 12:26 NIV

Pray, cry, talk to your trusted friends, and decide how much you can handle having the difficult person in your life.

We want to impact the lives of those around us for good. At the same time, you need wisdom about how they are impacting you (and possibly others around you).

Sometimes you can reduce the amount of time you spend with them or what you do when you meet. Occasionally a heart-to-heart talk will help. And, sadly, sometimes you need to break off the friendship.

One of the best resources I know of is The Emotionally Destructive Relationship by Leslie Vernick. She helps you identify unhealthy behaviors and then sort out your options in response. Sometimes you can help difficult people and sometimes you can’t.

I think my biggest takeaway from this week is that I need to make more time for the people in my life. To be a good friend, you have to show up.

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CONCLUSIONS – SET DOWN SIN  (Day 6 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

This has been a heavier week for me.

Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus … Hebrews 12: 1b-2a ESV

Facing and dealing with my attitudes and actions has been quite the challenge. No big things like murder or running off with the mailman.

Just sins of the heart and some less than generous attitudes. (I use the word “just” loosely.)

I think I need to get back into Proverbs. It was so nice to read a daily chapter and let it soak into my day. It helped me more quickly see right from wrong, and grew my heart toward those things that delight God.

How did y’all do? What did you learn? How did it impact your marriage? Do you need to have any conversations with your spouse?

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Image credit © Petra / Pixabay
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CONCLUSIONS – DUMP ENVY & PRIDE  (Day 1 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

So how did y’all do this week?

Love does not envy or boast … I Corinthians 13:4b ESV

Were you able to see some of the roots of envy and pride in your life? Were you able to be more content and loving in your marriage? In life in general? Did you catch yourself and make room to set down the envy or boasting?

I’m practicing my “I’m happy for you.” attitude. When something good happens to or for someone else, I choose to be happy for them.

My husband has been in El Paso, Texas this week and he got to eat a Whataburger (the best hamburgers in the whole of Texas). I’m happy for him. LOL Wish I could be there with him, but I say that without rancor.

Looking forward to having him back home this evening.

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Image credit © amirali mirhashemian / Unsplash
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RESOURCES & CONCLUSIONS – BE KIND (Day 6 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

How did you do with kindness this week?

Love is … kind …  1 Corinthians 13:4b ESV

It was a good week for me. Not devoid of challenges, but having a focus is nice and I saw some very good examples of kindness – moments of helpfulness, bits of grace offered, and even a couple of kind texts. I always love that because I tend to learn better when I see something done well.

If you struggled this week or you want to spend more time on this concept, I encourage you read The Kindness Challenge by Shaunti Feldhahn or check out The 30-Day Kindness Challenge on her website. I’ve done both and found a lot of wisdom and encouragement in it.

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