Day 4 is a long long day. Long in a sense that I haven't moved foward to day 5. Day 4 was about being thoughtful and do a kind act. I think this one has been easy cause I already do that. But Silas has been kind. He brought me homemade "sweet soup" from a cell group. He helped me walk some kids home at the end of the day. He even got something yummy for dinner (He can eat the same kind of food for 365 days a year). Something Samantha reallly loves.

Today is Day 5.  

Love is not rude: "Rudenss is unnecessarily saying or doing things that are unpleasant for another person to be around you." (foul mouth, poor manners, yelling, blaming). a. Guard the Golden Rule, No double standards. Honor requests.

I need to be aware of how my ways my cause my spouse to feel unpleasant. My attitude, my speech, my actions. I don't think I've been rude. But I have stopped doing things that irritates him, like putting my bags on the bed, and I do try to leave my desk a bit tidier than usual, but not totally put away - working on sermons. I can keep the sink free of dirty dishes, on a daily basis - I'll try...hey there was no hot water last night;D and OH yeah, put dirty socks in hamper not lying on my shoes (first i'll need to ask myself each time, am I going out again).

Being kind was not too hard. Actually didn't really intentionally do anything kind to him. But I did start small talk with him again. I do give thanks to God, he has been showing a good attitude in getting involved in Samantha's daily routine. He has also been giving me complements. I did not receive it with a hungry heart, or with angry judgement. I just received it.

It was harder to be kind to this lady at the school though. But, I'm trying. I need to do something kind to her. Well I did take initiative to make conversation with her. She was such a PAIN in the election process. But its over now. God is helping me to understand her and respond with more compassion.

Today is Day 4. IT is to be thoughtful, mindful of him. I usually am, so this one is not so difficult. The challenge is to ask him what I can do for him.

Started off day 2 with good intentions, and thinking it will be easy since Sundays are so packed with activities. But God knows what pet peves has grown into my heart. Someone innocently came with good intentions but stirred up something still not entirely healed or cleansed inside of me. Rather than reacting with kindness, I allowed a small spark of anger and memory of something take over my spirit. The flesh can and will take charge if we don't let God's love and kindness take charge. After my small negative comment, I was reminded of this devo and commitment. I repented. I let it all go. The "unfairness" the "buts..." all submitted to God's truth. "TAke every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ." This is the LTS principle.

Day 2 was extended, and it went pretty well. He and I had some nice verbal interaction. He's trying. Another issue I need to deal with is how we discipline, train, or equip our daughter in the "way she should go". This is the issue that sparked an avalanche within me. The straw that the camel's back.  The issue did come up a bit, but I did not feel pent up anger. I thank God for healing and cleansing. We were able to have a short exchange on our daughter's behavior.

Kindness, how was I kind? I invited him to have fruit with me and Samantha, when he indicated he wanted dessert. He came. I pray that that is the spark of a growing family quality time.