Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
—Philippians 2:3–4 NASB
WHEN THIS STORY WAS SHARED AT OUR DAUGHTERS of Sarah meeting, we marveled at Dana’s innovative solution to a problem. Instead of being grumpy or getting stressed out, she chose a cheerful attitude and had fun solving a problem. Life is always more fun and interesting when we choose a good attitude!
Dana ran downstairs, knowing her husband would be getting dressed in about twenty-five minutes. Working late last night, she had turned the washer on with a full load of whites, but had forgotten to change it over to the dryer before collapsing into bed. She quickly threw a single pair of her husband’s briefs into the dryer and started it, then went into the kitchen to brew the coffee. Her husband’s alarm went off, and she estimated she had about twenty more minutes before he would need his underwear.
She took coffee for both of them up to their room and proceeded to get dressed for work herself. The minutes ticked by as Jim took his shower and, wrapped in a towel, began to shave. She put on her makeup and did her hair, skipping her opportunity to shower. Hearing the dryer buzzer, she raced downstairs to find the briefs still a bit damp. Up the stairs she went again, thinking she might be able to pull this off while he was shaving.
“What are you doing with my underwear?” he asked, staring curiously at her as she plugged the blow dryer into the outlet.
“Creative solution,” she smiled, blow-drying his briefs. “I’ll have them ready for you in just a few minutes.”
“Wow, um, thanks!” Jim replied.
Five minutes later, the underwear was almost completely dry. “The band is still a teeny bit damp, but the rest is dry,” she said as she held them out to him.
“Great—I don’t think you’ve ever blow-dried my underwear before,” Jim said. “It’s a little weird, but I really appreciate your doing that for me.”
Dana giggled at the silliness of the whole thing and soon found herself in Jim’s arms, giving him a hug and a kiss. She smiled to herself, vowing to plan a little better to avoid another underwear crisis in the future.
BOTTOM LINE: Love sacrificially and creatively, and you will speak volumes to your husband!
SO WHAT ABOUT YOU?
1. People typically experience love the way they are most comfortable receiving it. If you think about the way your husband most frequently demonstrates his affection for you, that is probably the way he most easily receives love. In what way do you think he most readily receives love from you? Is it an act of service, receiving a gift, affirming words, or something else?
2. What three things can you do this week to demonstrate love to your husband in a way he can “hear” it? Make a list.
3. Set a time to accomplish each of those three things.
4. How will you deal with your expectations if he does not notice what you have done?
Your husband may be insensitive.
You may have come all this way and not even received a single “thank you” or had him notice anything you’ve done. Recognize right now that your selflessness has not gone unseen nor are you alone in this experience.
Over two thousand years ago, God sent his very own Son to earth to teach, to heal, and to die, all for people who were insensitive, ungrateful, and oblivious to who he was and who turned their backs on him.
You are not alone if you love your man sacrificially and he is unaware.
Perhaps God allows this to occur so we can get a picture of what God did for us.
Perhaps he allows this in order to grow persevering love within us. Perhaps there are other reasons.
Your challenge today has two parts.
• Reflect on this concept of sacrificial love, discussing it prayerfully in your spirit with God, writing down any enlightening thoughts he brings to you.
• Begin taking action toward the three demonstrations of love from the earlier questions.
Pray for God’s help loving others the way Jesus loves us.
