Love Goes the Extra Mile

1 John 3:18
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

I just happened to get a haircut recently while sitting next to an elderly woman, who was getting her hair cut by her granddaughter.  An interesting conversation topic came up.  We women were talking about how men don't usually know where to find things in the house, or what to do when wives are away from home (in certain situations).  Then, an awkward moment of silence arose after an exchange between the elderly woman and her granddaughter.

It went something like this: 

Grandma: (proudly) "I made Grandpa his lunch before I came here... Been making his lunch for 40 years."

Granddaughter: (snidely) "Grandma- and do YOU get lunch made for you?  Will he have a sandwich ready when YOU get home?"

Ouch. Good point, honey, but that's a terrible approach to love.  

That poor Grandma was ridiculed by her very trendy and outspoken granddaughter in front of the whole salon.  That smart Grandma also knows a thing or two about love which desperately needs to be passed to our younger generations.

How do you stay married for 40+ years?  It doesn't depend on lunch, and who is making it.  It does, however, depend on love in action.  If we are always hoping for an even exchange in the end, then it isn't really called love...it would be more like a deal.  

I love blessing my husband.  It has everything to do with my love languages...if you haven't read the book, you should (The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman). Without expecting a single 'thank you' in return, I enjoy doing little things that will create joy for Tim.  Some of my more routine things are: buying a treat for him from the impulse items at the check-out (usually jerky or gum), taking out the trash, or making breakfast.  As for the Grandma I mentioned from the hair salon, I understand the satisfaction she gets out of giving to her husband.  There is no expectation. Period. 

Another way to see it is mentioned in the book of Colossians:
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians  3:23-24

So, I would love for this particular blog to be a sounding board of comments on Facebook.  What do you do that blesses your spouse?  Big or small, let us encourage each other with ideas.  We can learn from each other. Way to go, Grandma!