Day 38
Love fulfills dreams
Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. —Psalm 37:4
What is something your spouse would really, really love? And how often do you ask yourself that question?
Common sense tells us we can’t give our wife or husband everything they might like. Our budgets and account balances tell us we probably couldn’t afford it anyway. And even if we could, we’re too busy and probably don’t have time.
But perhaps you’ve let your “no” become too quick of a response. Perhaps you’ve become too reasoned and rational, too automatic. What if instead of dismissing this thought, you awakened your best to honor it? What might happen if the one thing your husband or wife said you’d never be able to do for them became the next thing you did?
Love sometimes needs to be extravagant. To go all out. To set aside the technicalities, open up the floodgates of generosity, and bless someone out of sheer delight. Is that thinking too much like a teenager? Is that kind of love no longer on the menu after this many years of marriage? After all, with the way your relationship might be at the moment, wouldn’t it be disingenuous to indulge your spouse if your heart’s not in it?
Well, how about putting your heart in it. How about adopting a new level of love that actually wants to fulfill every dream and desire you possibly can.
Did you know God loves with extravagance? He goes over and above. He pours out freely beyond measure. The Bible says He “lavished” His grace on us (Ephesians 1:8) and that Jesus’ love provides us with an abundant life overflowing beyond limitations (John 10:10). And we as His disciples are called to give that same kind of extravagant love—to give more than we’re asked, to go the extra mile, to greatly exceed what is expected (Matthew 5:39–45).
Hasn’t God’s love met needs in your heart that way? You were living under a load of sin and regret. You thought you’d never earn your way back into His good graces. Yet He looked at you with love and said you didn’t have to. He wanted you back and showed you mercy. As you turned to Him, He forgave you. “God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4–5).
So it wasn’t when you were behaving like an angel that God chose to pour out His love on you. It wasn’t because you were so deserving that He offered you His grace. Although you weren’t a likely candidate, He loved you anyway. He freely paid the price for you. And He is the One your love is designed to imitate. His Word says that He loves cheerful, hilarious givers like Himself (2 Corinthians 9:7)—those who are willing to give in abundance out of pure delight.
What unexpected gift could you start saving up for that would overwhelm your spouse with love? A new dishwasher? Diamond earrings? A better car?
Where could you quietly arrange to get away for a romantic weekend, just the two of you? A friend’s cabin? A nearby hotel? A cruise ship?
Not everything your spouse wants has a hefty price tag or can even be bought with money. You could secretly tackle a big project that has been on your mate’s wish list for months.
Or really, your wife may just want your time and attention at home. She may want to be treated like a lady and know that her husband considers her a cherished treasure. She may want a warm embrace and to see in your eyes a love that chooses her all over again and will be there no matter what.
Your husband? The main thing he may want is just some greater respect. He may want you to acknowledge him as the head of the house in front of the children. He may want you to surprise him with a long kiss, or a love note, or to invite him home for lunch—with you as the dessert—when there’s not even a birthday or anniversary to justify it. He may need to know that you still think he’s strong and handsome to you.
Dreams and desires come in all shapes and sizes. But love thinks lavishly while taking careful notice of each one. So . . .
We dare you to think in terms of overwhelming your spouse with love, to exceed all their expectations with your surprising kindness. Whether it’s free or a financial sacrifice, it needs to reflect your thoughtfulness and a heart willing to express itself with extravagance. One of the greatest regrets people have later in life is that they didn’t love others more fully when they had the chance. Now is your chance.
“What is something your spouse would really, really love?” It’s time you started living out the answer to that question.
TODAY'S DARE
Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.
____ Check here when you’ve completed today’s dare.
What has made you resistant to fulfilling your mate’s desires in the past? How would it change your relationship if they knew their dreams were a priority to you? What desires are you attempting to meet?
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