Do you want to love your spouse well? Do you want to serve others? Do you want to make a difference in people’s lives?
Of course, you do! I think many of us have these desires in our hearts. However, they don’t always translate into action. We know we should live the life God has called us to, but because of the temptations and distractions of life, we don’t always do it. And oftentimes, we don’t even know where to start.
That’s what I love about Becky Kopitzke’s new book, Generous Love. She shares practical advice and real stories to encourage you to live a life marked by love and compassion. You don’t have to wonder, “How do I actually obey God’s call to love others selflessly?” She tells you how to do it!
I believe one of the biggest ways many of us are challenged to love selflessly begins in our homes and in our marriages. When your spouse is frustrating you, how do you respond in a way that reflects Christ?
We recently caught up with author and TheCourage contributor, Becky Kopitzke, during an exclusive audio interview inside Kirk Cameron’s The Campfire. She admits there are times where her husband’s dirty dishes in the sink can “erk” her, and while she wants to lash out at him, she instead chooses generous love.
But what does that practically look like in our day-to-day relationships? Sure, it sounds nice. But when you see that dirty dish in the sink for the third night in a row, or the dirty clothes in the bathroom floor, your initial reaction is anything but loving. Becky shares this tip:
“In that moment, when he really annoys me, I keep this running list in my head of positive or affirming thoughts in my head.”
The list includes the strengths and positive attributes of her husband that she likes. “He is loyal, he is an outstanding father, he knows how to fix the sink, he mows the lawn so I don’t have to,” Becky shares.
When she goes through that list at the very moment that she is frustrated with him, Becky says that she realizes how small her grievance was and she “starts to feel an overwhelming affection for him.” Hear a clip from her audio interview below:
So, what would your spouse’s “strengths list” look like? Have you thought about that recently? Maybe you need to make one of these lists for your in-laws, your co-worker, or even your child. We can get so caught up in little moments of frustration, that we forget that we should love others always.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35
We also talked to Becky about her recent article on how to instill positive body image in our daughters and why we shouldn’t tell our kids they can be whatever they want. Want to hear the whole interview? Sign up for a completely FREE 14-day trial of TheCampfire today.
