Day 225: Love and Respect CD #4

I wanted us to (re)listen to the 4th CD of the Love and Respect Conference for Thursday’s act of love. When I suggested it, though, you said something to the effect that you were so exhausted that you only had enough energy to wash the dishes then go to bed. Tears formed in your eyes.

I was also exhausted. I’m talking about the head-throbbing, eye-burning, stomach-turning type. “It’d be nice if you could just skip the dishes and go to bed,” I said, “but they must be washed tonight.” You agreed. “What if I offer to wash them for her,” I thought. Everything inside me screamed “No!” at such a thought. Still, I blurted out, “Go to bed. I’ll wash the dishes.” “Are you sure?” “‘Yeah, I’m sure.” “I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you wash half the dishes, then I’ll wake up early to wash the rest,” you said. “Okay.” When you woke up in the morning, you were surprised that I actually took you up on your offer!

Before we got married, I never knew how much of a battle love is. It was certainly easy to “fall in love” with you. But when the intensity of those feelings faded, every day became an opportunity to decide who to put first, you or me. If I weren’t so self-seeking, perhaps willing the former would be easy. But, as it is, every day and even every hour is a battle to put your needs, desires, etc. first. To put you before me. May I stand strong in the midst of this battle.

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Day 224: An Answer to Prayer, Continued

For the second night in a row, I suggested that we forego cleaning and hang out together instead. You were again on board with my suggestion. It was great hanging out with you, but our messy house is starting to bother me. It’s so tough to keep things balanced.

Day 223: An Answer to Prayer

On day 216, we prayed, per your suggestion, that we would have more time to spend alone together. I’m more of a task person than a people person, so it’s not surprising to me that you feel like we don’t take much time just to enjoy each other. Well, I took your prayer request to heart and made some time for us on Tuesday night.

That night, the dishes were piled up from dinner, the living room had toys strewn about, and our pile of laundry might’ve rivaled Mt. Everest. My inclination, after we  put the girls to bed, was to get those things done, then to go to bed. But I remembered what we prayed for the other night and I asked you, “What if we just spend some time relaxing together tonight and we’ll clean tomorrow?”

So, we watched some episodes of “Frasier” as we snuggled on the couch. You later commented to me that you really enjoyed our time together. I enjoyed it, too. To be honest, though, my idea of quality time is not watching TV together.