How can love be kind in this busy, noisy, stress-filled world we live in? Life is busy – there’s lots to fit in, isn’t there? Maybe we’re a bit brusque – abrupt, short-tempered, or terse with those we love. Maybe. Sometimes. Not because we don’t love our husbands or wives but because…

How often do you consider your spouse, and decide to be kind? Why?

Because Love is Kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4

Kindness starts with the basics like a genuine “thank you”… but there’s more.

Love is Kind – without condition.

What would kindness – without prerequisite or condition – look like in a marriage?

  • smiling at your spouse – even if you don’t feel like it
  • offering to serve your spouse – to meet a need – even if you haven’t been served
  • giving your best to your spouse  – before anyone else
  • refraining from an action because it might cause pain or concern
  • remaining neutral when your spouse needs a sounding board, even if you have an opinion

As a real-life  illustration, one of our friends has come up with a brilliant way to be kind to his wife (and family).

He loved to watch sports, and became intensely involved in the action on the television. He cheered – loudly and with gusto – when events were in his team’s favor. That was OK. However, when things didn’t go well – or the opposing team or a referee didn’t behave the way he felt they should – his reaction became fierce. And thunderous.

This extreme behavior became a divisive problem for he and his wife. How did he solve it?

He now records each game. Once it’s recorded, he checks the score, and can prepare himself ahead of time to watch with discretion. Or not watch the game at all…

Is this a sacrifice? Does this spoil the “fun” of being surprised at a game’s outcome? Perhaps. However, this isn’t a problem in their household anymore. His kindness – without condition – is showing his wife how much he loves her.

There are more ways to be kind, I’m sure.

(leave a comment – share your ideas and experiences!)

Love is Kind

Something special for Wednesday…

On Wednesday there’s going to be a special guest post here on Encourage Your Spouse!

I’m excited to have Amy from Accidental Happy Baker share a post about an ongoing daydream she and her husband entertained when things became stressful and tough… and the experience they had when they pursued that daydream.

She also has a recipe to share to go with this story – because she believes every recipe has a story, every favorite dish a tale, that our taste-buds have the ability to take us back in time to our most beloved memories or to places we’ve never gotten yet, but only dreamt about. 

And I’m just giving you a heads’ up  –  the photos from her recipe are going to make you drool!

See you Wednesday!

How are you – or your spouse – kind?

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