Weekend Kindness
Reaching Others Through Kindness

Sometimes it’s not the big things that say “I love you” the most, but the ordinary things, the small things.

Take, for instance, lunch time.  At my home I’m blessed to be able to come home for lunch every day. My wife blesses me in that she has lunch ready for when I get home, and we’re able to talk about what’s going on in my day. She also tries to have dinner ready around the time I get home.

Yesterday, I was reminded of how much she loved me by what was in my glass for lunch. Usually we have few choices of what to drink at my house– milk, water, juice, and occasionally Kool-Aid. The other day, while we were out grocery shopping I grabbed some Dr. Pepper to take to work (am I the only one that needs a mid-afternoon jolt of caffeine?), but I haven’t taken it to work yet, and today, when I came home for lunch, what was there but a glass of Dr. Pepper instead of milk.

You see, it’s not always the big things in the life that communicate your love, but the little things that you do that puts them first, that shows them that you’re thinking of them over yourself. It’s these things that can make a difference.

When my husband and I were newlyweds there were things that we just did not understand. We often poked fun at those old couples who wore the same shirts whenever they went out. We have since learned that when you have been married for several years you begin to think alike more than you realize.

There have been several days when I would emerge dressed only to find my hubby already wearing the same t-shirt or the same color shirt! It actually bothers me enough that I go and change. We never plan to wear the same thing, there are just days when it happens. I find it a bit frustrating but mostly humorous.

Just like dressing alike there was another thing we have always tended to notice and say it was never going to happen to us because it is such a sad and horrible thing! Have you seen the older couples in the restaurants who sit and eat their dinner and have no more than two words to say to each other? We all have seen them. Most of us probably, if honest, would say that we feel sorry for them. This is never going to happen to us!

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This year, my husband and I will celebrate ten years of marriage. In honor of our anniversary, I thought I’d share ten of my favorite dates. These are not in any particular order.

1. The old stand-by: Dinner and a movie at the theater. Eating together is one of the most important things we do. There is just something about sitting around a table together with food that helps us start talking. Our local theater has the seats with the retractable arm, so we can sit close together just like we’re on the couch at home.

2. We put the kids to bed, then watch a movie together while we eat a dessert. This tends to be less expensive than #1. The other thing I like about this date is that we can curl up on the couch and snuggle under a blanket together. I love a quiet night at home!

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When inviting someone out on a date:

• You can reference Genesis 2:18, “It is not good for man to be alone.”
• Write a message in sidewalk chalk with each word about 20′ apart. Call them, disguising your voice, and tell them to follow the message. You can be waiting at the end of the message to ask them out or just leave flowers and a note.
• On a white t-shirt, write lots of peoples names in washable black marker. Write your own name somewhere in permanent marker. The person can wash the shirt to find out which name remains.
• Buy a bag of Hershey’s Kisses. Replace the paper flag with slips of paper with compliments on them.
• Dress in vintage clothing and go swing dancing at a local band stand.

On the date itself:

• Take pictures of items which describe characteristics of your loved one (such as a candy store if they’re sweet) and develop them. Over dinner, share your pictures with the other person.
• Play pictionary only, instead of drawing the picture, use finger paints, play dough, or other unusual mediums.
• Spend time in Scripture together and have a deep, theological discussion of what you’ve read. This can be vital to your relationship.
• Get a ton of instant pudding and whipped cream. Go to a local park and have a pudding fight!
• Make a mix CD and bring a CD player. Find a scenic place outdoors to slow dance as the sun sets.
• Gather pictures from the past. Write the story of how you met and fell in love. Even see if you can get the book printed and bound.
• Take a class on photography, dancing, painting, etc., together at a local community center.
• Visit all the places you would go early in your relationship. Take pictures and reminisce.

Above all else, keep in mind your purposes for the date:

• Strengthen your relationship (both friendship and romance) with the other person.
• Edify the other person and allow them to edify you.
• Allow God to define and guide your relationship to become increasingly like His relationship with his bride, the Church.
• Have fun and enjoy each other!

I love being married. I get to hang out with my husband–my best friend–every single day. I see him every morning, every evening, every weekend.

After more than fifteen years of marriage, though, it?s easy to let the routine become routine. I?m not saying we don?t enjoy being together. We just tend to take it for granted. When we do realize that we haven?t been out on a date in awhile, usually all we can think of on short notice is to go out to eat, or sometimes to a movie. It?s nice, but that kind of routine date doesn?t necessarily create lasting memories.

The dates that I remember the most, and that I think we ought to shoot for more often, are the quirky ones. Conveniently, they also tend to be the least expensive (sometimes they?re even free!).

So, without further ado, these are a few of my favorite dates:

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Please forgive me for the play on words here but the Lord keeps bringing it mind. The Lord has been dealing with me a lot lately concerning my dependence upon Him. This dependence must be in every area of my life.

When I started blogging eleven months ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I have been hurt, discouraged and forced to look more deeply at who I am. Though most painful, this has stretched me and caused me to grow. But I have also made many friends along the way. They have encouraged me, spurred me on and challenged me which has also caused me to grow.

The Lord is actively at work in my life and I have a peace that passes all understanding. I have been allowed to be a blessing to others and the Lord continues to open new doors of ministry for me in the blogging world. This adds a great responsibility I did not anticipate and is one I constantly feel ill-equipped to fulfill. I am humbled each time I am praised because I know that it is only by the power of the Spirit that anyone is touched.

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Children truly are a blessing.  They fill your life in so many ways. They make you smile, and they truly love you no matter what.

The problem is that they can also drive you crazy!

Yes, we all love them, but that doesn’t mean that they have to be with us every moment of every day, and so here are 7 reasons that you need a date without kids:

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