The movie Fireproof received a good bit of media coverage when it was released, and while we haven’t seen it yet, I do want to see it. I’ve been told time and time again that it’s a must-see movie for any married couple ~ Newlyweds like us and those celebrating years upon years of marriage. Monday on my lunch break, I was reading an article about a fireman who watched the movie and was so moved by it that he’s started a support group of sorts for fellow firemen who need help in getting their marriages back on track. Apparently in the movie, there’s a book that’s read by the main character throughout the entire movie. It’s The Love Dare. I was thinking during lunch how I would like to get a copy of the book and read it.
Fast forward just a couple of hours during the day when I go to check my mail here at work. There’s an envelope with The Love Dare in it! It’s from a member of senior management here who owns a Christian bookstore with his wife. He shared with me in a short letter how the store gets many books throughout the year, some are good, some are great. There are also those books that are unbelievably good, and he makes it a point to share those amazing books with friends as he feels God leads him. And he shared The Love Dare with me!
Isn’t God cool like that?
So, I’m on day 4 of this book, and it’s really challenging. Initially, the book breaks it down for you like this: follow these dares explicitly as they are laid out, stick to it for the 40 days, and your marriage is sure to be rewarded.
Day 1: Refrain from saying anything negative to your spouse throughout the day. That, my friends, is easier said than done. Especially when your hubby is who you vent to about everything that’s bothering you! But I think I was successful in this. It really taught me to think for a second before I blurt out a nagging, negative thought.
Day 2: In addition to refraining from saying anything negative to my spouse, I also was dared to do something special and unexpected for him. While he was showering Wednesday morning, I made his shake! It’s a breakfast ritual Tim has ~ a protein shake with milk, flax seed, and fruit. I added yogurt for an extra special fruity flavor! He was so surprised and pleased! It warmed my heart to do something so small and unexpected for him!
Day 3: It didn’t mention refraining from saying negative things, so I let ‘er rip, folks. . . I cussed this and blamed him for that. Nah, that’s not true! What I was charged with yesterday was to buy something for my husband. Where your heart is, there also will be your treasure, right? We spend on things that are important and special to us. While I’d already given Tim a card on Monday thanking him for being an amazing husband and running partner with me during my first half-marathon, I wanted to do something special. So, after Supper Club, I ventured to Kmart, just hoping against all odds, some sort of electronic something would jump out at me. . . Nope. Didn’t happen. I know Tim wants some sort of office radio, but I don’t know if he’d prefer a clock radio-type thing or a good ole’ boom box – which, by the way, now offer plug ins for iPods! So, I decided that’s a gift I want him to pick out. I did leave with a nice, wooden, masculine frame. I had a picture he’d not yet seen of the two of us at the Stars Over Macon Ball. I put the pic in the frame and set it on his dresser. Not 20 minutes later, he found it and was so pleased! He’ll take it to work, just as I’d hoped!
Day 4: Today, I’m to call Tim during the day to touch base with him and see if I can do anything to help him get through his day. Thankfully, we do this everyday. It’s like a pulse-check. How are things going with you? How’s your day? Knowing he’s on his way home from a meeting in Atlanta, I’ll wait until mid-afternoon to check in on my bug.
Get yourself a Love Dare book, if it’s applicable to your life now. I bet you’ll enjoy it like I am enjoying it!
