Brother Lawrence said, he concentrated on doing the little things for Him (God), since he was unable to do bigger things.
So often I become discontent in my thoughts because I am not doing greater things for God yet if I adopted Brother Lawerence's attitude all things would become significant and all things would become a gift done for Him.
Recently I got irritated with my beloved (and I was determined he would know it, see it my way, and CHANGE!). Okay, this may seem really trivial (but aren't those the things which get under our skin the most?).... every night when we go to bed, I turn back my husbands covers, fluff his pillow, and put a little chocolate on it (welcome to the Hyatt, right?)... okay, you may think this is silly but it was a simple way of saying, after 25 years, I still love you and I appreciate all you do. I did notice that on the rare occasion he was in bed first the covers were just thrown willy nilly and my side was not even cleaned off (ugh.... one of my ever present piles). I became so irritated that I just had to say something. I tried to tell him, but he deferred to another conversation.... I went to bed irritated. The next night I employed a tactic from a popular preacher, saying, " I feel __________ when you ________." (fill in the blanks with your own petty stuff). That totally back fired as all he wanted to do was eat his supper and relax! (bad timing ladies.... never talk to your husband when he's hungry). So the next morning I took advantage of our porch time to broach it again (why couldn't I just let this go.....Oh no, my flesh was way too involved). After explaining clearly my irritation not only did he not see it my way he reminded me that very early in our marriage I told him do not touch my piles. OUCH!
After our porch time I was so disheartened by my own lack of control over my flesh. What was here-to-fore a gift for my beloved each night had now become something other because I EXPECTED something back. I'm no genius but I'm pretty sure that it is now not a gift when you expect payment in return. It somehow cheapened my gift to him and to our FATHER in heaven (do ALL things unto the LORD).
What's the lesson? If something bugs you in your marriage... BE THE ONE TO TAKE CARE OF IT.... without expecting ANYTHING in return! If you want the shower curtain closed, close it (as a gift to God), if you want the counter cleaned off, clean it, as unto the Lord............ if JESUS, Himself, were spending the night in my house you better believe I'd fluff His pillow and put chocolate on it! Do it. Do it happily. Do it willingly. Die to your self...... and as Nike says, just do it!
Happy Valentines' day