Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8 CEV

On day four in their book, Cindi & Hugh talk about things that originally drew them to their mates now bugging them as some time has passed.  For example, Hugh was a deep thinker, taking a while to think on things before he would speak.  Cindi originally appreciated this about Hugh.  However, as time went on, she began to think he was the moodiest person she knew.  Likewise, Hugh originally appreciated how Cindi was able to express herself, but after over 20 years together, there are days that he wishes that she wasn’t quite so vocal about things.

Here is something that I have tried to get us to do here on Light Love Hope.  When you are tempted to go to the negative way of thinking, instead find something positive to focus on.  Also, if things are really bringing you down, turn your focus to your blessings and how grateful you are for those things instead of complaining and staying stuck in that frame of mind.  Is it easy to do?  No, it isn’t.  We want to immediately go to the negatives and things that bother us.  That is why we have to be intentional about this and turn our focus on the positives.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying that love is blind.  It was initially when you and your mate got together.  You both were in a state of bliss so much so that nothing seemed to bother you.  You were all dreamy and starry eyed when thinking of, looking at, and being with your mate.  As time went on, though, we started to see a little bit of things here or there that began to annoy us.  Maybe we need to become blind again to those traits and to anything negative that we may tend to focus on about our loved ones.  Let us shift our focus to being open to grace and forgiveness.   What if we all chose to become blind to their faults again?  Instead of focusing on them and beating them over the head with things that aggravate us, why not choose to take a  deep breath and extend grace?  There is good in every one of us.  I truly believe that.  When it seems difficult to find one ounce of goodness, please try looking again.  Instead of dwelling on the negatives, praise the positive!

Let’s take a look at Philippians 4:8 again.  God’s love working through you will allow you to see “the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”

Join us tomorrow for … The Power of A Note.

Previous days in this series:

Introduction:  A New Journey

Day One:  Enjoying The Journey

Day Two:  Leaving Self On The Shelf

Day Three:  From Tense To Tender

Buy the book on Amazon: When Couples Walk Together: 31 Days to a Closer Connection