Editor’s note: The author explains her family’s Lenten commitment to take the Love Dare here . Regular updates will be posted all through Lent. Click here to catch up on previous posts. Due to CE staff scheduling, we will not be able to keep up with these posts daily, but we will make sure they are all posted, even though it means they run past Lent. ]
Today we will greet each family member in a cheerful way that says, “I am happy to see you.”
“Greet one another with a kiss of love” (1Peter 5:14).
This dare was fun and easy. After all, how hard is it to say, “Hi,” when a family member walks in the door? The littles had a ball with this, shouting hi to everyone when they came home. It did make us realize though, how often we forget to greet each other or say something negative the minute we get in the door. My husband is forever scolding the kids for starting sentences with, “Mom, I need……,” before they even say hello to me. I’m pretty sure my parents didn’t name me Mom, I need!
My pediatrician told me a great story once about a patient who really drove her crazy. The little boy was just annoying and she dreaded his visits (yes, doctors are people too). One day she decided to greet him as if he was her most favorite person on the planet. He responded by cooperating with her, smiling and being the little boy she wished he had always been. He soon became one of her favorite patients!
Lord, help me to greet everyone with a smile so they can see how valuable they are to me. Remind me that I will get back the attitude I put out.
