Giving til you love

Today's reading was from Philippians and it took me to a couple places.

First, we are all different. We have different hopes and desires. Booker T Washington said "There is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem." 

Which simply means, you may work with your hands or your minds. but in both cases, I would suggest doing it "unto the Lord." 

The verse accompanying the reading was Philippians 3:14, I press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.

Which led to this verse from Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Mind the gap (jump from platform to train)

Every marriage is a union of two selfish people who both naturally want to "do it my way." Did you know your mom and I have had to have conversations about how to fold towels and how to hang shirts? You may have heard us say "Don't compromise, but rather be happy knowing the other is happy."

In that statement, you are yielding your own desires for the other person's desires and finding joy in their perspective - giving them dignity and value in their choice (to work with their hands {tilling} vs voice {poem}).

How does this play out in dating? Give. Give without any thought of getting anything in return. Some people will absorb your giving. Some people will give it back. 

Give where you can. Again, if you have words, use words. If you have hands, use hands. If you have money, use gifts. Give what God has given to you.

The thing is, this applies not only to dating but to everything. That's why dating should be easy. It doesn't matter if it is your best friend or your least favorite. In fact, the Message puts it this way: “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

You enemies. So how much more should you give to someone you are treating out for an afternoon/evening. Like I said, giving doesn't have to be STUFF, it can be time, energy, conversation. But you have to be the giver.

Think about it.