In my prayer time with God Friday morning I prayed something that even surprised me as I prayed it. I'm not in the habit of praying for specific material things that I can quite easily go without. So I was surprised when I felt really led to pray for a laptop. We have a family computer at home and when I need to get work done I don't often get a chance to go online and when I do I can feel quite rushed. I thought to myself how wonderful it would be to be able to work in the privacy of my room and not get distracted.
Fast forward to Saturday, day one of the Love Dare. As I went downstairs to get a cup of coffee I decided to quickly check my messages online only to discover to my horror we had an awful computer virus. The night before my husband downloaded something that contained the virus that now wreaked havoc with everything we had stored on the computer. Realising just how we got this virus I was tempted to proceed with giving my poor husband a lecture. In a moment I was faced with two choices. I left my husband to fix the problem with the computer while I went upstairs to pray. I was reeling inside and the last thing I felt like doing was praying. But as I walked in my room I suddenly realised that I had not read today's dare! The first day and I almost forgot! So I picked up the book, The Love Dare and turned to day one. I couldn't believe what I read:
The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.
Did anything happen today to cause anger toward your mate? Were you tempted to think disapproving thoughts and to let them come out in words?
After repenting I came out my room rejoicing and praising God. I knew what I had to do. Downstairs my poor husband was working hard to fix the computer. I sat down next to him and instead of giving him an earache I reassured him that these things happen and I'm sure we'll get it sorted soon. He looked at me and smiled.
Later that morning we had to go out and I shared with my husband my desire for a laptop. When I explained to him what I needed it for he explained a netbook would be more suitable for me. That evening when I found out all our family pics may be lost I couldn't hold back the tears. Seeing I was upset my husband told me not only was he able to save the photos but he had bought me a netbook which would be dropped of in the next 15 minutes! I couldn't believe it!
Dare one - check!
I contemplated how that day could have turned out had I not been patient and held my tongue. Even though I was patient I could not have done it all in my own strength. I had to continue to rely on God's grace and focus throughout the day on what matters most. It wasn't easy.
Well, here I am writing this post with my new netbook...an answer to prayer, praise God!
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. - Ephesians 4:1-2
6 comments:
Praise the Lord!Beautiful testimony, Geraldine...
Thanks Natasa! God is so good!
Geraldine, when you do get the chance to see Fireproof, you will be surprised to see that much of what you quoted here and in your previous post is also quoted word for word in the movie. It should be very exciting to see how your Love Dare plays out over the next 40 days!
Really?! Wow, i can't wait to see it! Thanks Jen.
Thanks for sharing that personal story, Geraldine. It makes me want to get the book and do the dare. I know my sweet husband would love it if I could hold my critical tongue more often. Looking forward to seeing how day 2goes.
Nancy
Hi Nancy, thank you so much for your comment. The Love Dare reminds me of a book called the 'way of Agape' (also a very helpful book) but the difference with this one is that it gives you small things to do each day and they vary. Some days your asked to do something for your spouse and then another will be just a day of reflection. I highly reccommend it so far.
I'm not going to log everydays progress but will post that which i feel led to in the hope it will help others. It really encourages me to know there are others following the progress :-)!
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