[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.]
Today’s dare is to invest time, money and/or energy into members of our family.
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” Rom 12:10
We are only on day three and I’m already feeling a little disheartened. I don’t see much change yet, even in myself. I thought we had learned this lesson a few years ago when we cared for my dying father-in-law. I saw my family blossom as they put his needs first; the television show he wanted to watch was put on, the foods he wanted to eat were prepared, time was spent as he wanted to or needed to. We even glossed over his grumpiness and ignored his temper in order to do what was best for him. How did we forget these lessons so quickly? Does someone need to lay dying before this is important to us?!
I did a small kindness for my husband, but I was surprised at how I tried to reason my way out of it. All I did was bring him lunch, because he had to work late, but I tried to convince myself that I should stay home and clean the house because that would mean more to him. (He’s a guy. Of course he would prefer food!)
The kids seem to struggle with this dare too. The “littles” found things to do (one made a picture for daddy and another did an extra chore), but the older ones seem to ignore today all together. Are we really burning out after only three days?
Lord, help us to grow during these forty days without needing a catastrophe to be the catalyst. Let our motivation be love.
