January 6, 2012
Wow Him!
Pam Farrel
We hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions.
We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends.
From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry. We call them our "Friday Friends." So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend," Pam Farrel.
Today’s Truth
Love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
Friend to Friend
My husband, Bill, loves his coffee. But along with his love of coffee, Bill also has a habit that can be very annoying - his aversion to getting the coffee mugs into the dishwasher. I find coffee cups every place imaginable: in the garage, in the car, in the truck, in the closet, on the sidewalk, on the deck and patio, in the shop, in the office, on the stairwell, in the bathroom—you name it, and I have probably found a coffee cup there. It is a good thing we are authors and speakers because we love collecting the coffee mugs from all the churches where we speak and all the TV and radio shows on which we appear —and we need every one of those mugs!
I am not a coffee drinker really. I might drink a nonfat latte, but for the most part, coffee makes my heart race, and I prefer that only Bill makes my heart skip a beat! Bill says I am naturally caffeinated by God and it takes Bill drinking three cups of coffee just to keep up with my energy. On the other hand, Bill has an internal homing device that helps him spot a Starbucks green awning!
How did I handle the mugs issue?
Appreciate the Difference: Coffee is a part of what makes Bill - well, Bill! One day, as we were preparing to move homes, I was doing that “last load of dishes” and I realized it was all coffee mugs - 47 of them to be exact! It made me smile because years ago, I decided to pray for Bill every time I saw one of his empty displaced mugs. I was seeking to apply the principle “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). I have embraced the ever-reappearing-dirty coffee mug with fond affection because it reminds me of my hard workin’ man who requires caffeine to do all the wonderful acts of service that benefit so many – including me.
Celebrate the Difference: We celebrated Bill’s 50th birthday by having Bill select and then roast his own brand of coffee. It took one whole afternoon to visit a coffee farm, select the beans, roast them to perfection and then design the label. I knew I had a winning date as Bill sat and lingered a moment to savor the aroma of his Farrel Family blend of Mountain Thunder Vienna roast. He took a sip. I then watched a big grin appear on my husband’s well-caffeinated soul.
Let’s Pray
God, if anyone I love has something that is driving me crazy, please help me look for the upside, the flipside of that thing so I can see my family and friends the way You see them. Help me desire to bless them. Give me creative ways to express my love when I am irritated.
In Jesus’s Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Today, take that thing that is driving you crazy about your husband (sibling, parent, roommate or coworker) and pray about it. Then look for a way to celebrate them. If you are married, step out and create a date to WOW him!
More from the Girlfriends
Many times when something irritates us we allow it to fester or grow into a slow burn. We allow our mind to tell us the person is doing it on purpose—just to be irritating. Usually, that is far from the truth. Put yourself in the irritating person’s shoes. How do you want others to treat you when some habit, some personality trait, some quirky behavior is bugging them? Before you lose your cool, shoot up a prayer, “God, make me a blessing.” Take a breath and then respond with the words or actions God will give you. In my new book, 52 Ways to Wow Your Husband, I share how to make this year the best year of your man’s life.
Bill and Pam Farrel are international speakers, authors of over 35 books including best selling Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti. Free relationship articles and other books and resources like Pam’s newest 52 Ways to Wow Your Husband can be found at www.Love-Wise.com.
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Originally published Friday, 06 January 2012.