Day 6, 7, and 8

Wow! I never thought it would be so hard to keep this blog up each day. I apologize for the 3 day increments. I hope this finds you still at the daily dares or catching up if you got a little behind. I ask the Lord to encourage each of us right now, that we'll desire to love our spouses better, or at least as much as, we love ourselves. Their position deserves that much even if we do not "feel" like they deserve it themselves.

Areas where I need to add margin? I understood this as times I could sacrifice to create a healthier environment or self for my marriage. I am constantly on the go and sometimes even busier when I am in our own house. It has been suggested to me on several occasions, and not only by my husband, that I make time for rest. The Bible even says it's important! I will add margin to my sleeping time as well as general rest. As for wrong motivations, I think the blatant selfishness is always something I can work towards eliminating as a motivation. I pray for a servants heart but will admit that I am sometimes motivated to serve because I know how good it will make me look. I justify that I am personifying Jesus but know deep down that I crave attention. Father, and friends, forgive me.

Appreciation and depreciation. The current state of things allows me to have a much easier time with the former. The list goes on and on. If I were frustrated with Eric, or our relationship, I may have had the complete opposite reaction to this challenge. One note I'd like to make is based on the time I did this dare a few years back and realized that the positives were things I saw in him that I wished I had or was more like and the negative were things that I really struggled with and must have expected him to be better at. I thanked Eric for being fun. And for a change, this is something I see us both being really good at: :)

Super easy to destroy the negative attributes list. Who wouldn't want to make it all burn away anyway? I love to celebrate Eric's triathlon successes and his work with guys in his high school ministry. I also try to be very encouraging of friendships he is growing. I do admit that I get a tad jealous of his self control/discipline and the physical results of his triathloning but I will continue to encourage him in whatever makes him happy and hopefully keep motivated myself by his joy.

Here's to hoping I make it back tomorrow, Kate