It's Still All About You
Theme of the Week: Why Do We Fail Those We Love?
Monday, December 1, 2008
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? (Proverbs 20:6 NIV). Bonus Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:5–6a
Here are two more energy-saving strategies to free you up for your own personal priorities:
- Count on others to forgive you. Remind family members that when you fail, they're obligated to absolve you. They may argue that it's okay to say, "I goofed; please forgive me," but not, "You'll forgive me, so I'll goof." Don't let that argument affect you.
- Substitute words for deeds. Say things to your wife like, "I wanted to buy you a special birthday gift this year, but I've been busy. Here are some flowers I picked up on the way home. Happy birthday!" This maneuver works with kids too: "Dad wanted to see you play that game, but I had too much to get done." Your family should be grateful for such loving sentiments.
It's only fair to warn you that if you use these tactics, your family may compare you to images found in Proverbs 25:19: "Putting confidence in an unreliable person is like chewing with a tooth-ache or walking on a broken foot."
They may also charge you with being unloving. They tend to think loving words should be proven by loving deeds. Your wife might even quote [today's Key Bible Verse].
—Charles Sell in HomeLife
My Response: An insensitive, unloving practice I need to abandon is …
HomeLife (4/03) by permission.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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You've called me, Lord, to the demanding discipleship of family. Empower me to worthily represent you there.
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