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“Good love sometimes takes some do-overs.”

A thought by Maria Goff (2017-03-07) from her book, Love Lives Here: Finding What You Need in a World Telling You What You Want (Kindle Location 1522). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

That is such a good realistic thought.  But it is something we don’t always do, is it?

Maria says, “More than once, when Bob has walked in through the front door and our first interaction doesn’t feel like the kindness and compassion we’re shooting for in our relationship, I’ve sent him right back outside. I make him get back in the car and we take it from the top again. I’m not kidding. Good love sometimes takes some do-overs. In fact, it insists on them. Don’t miss out on the chance to use a couple of your own. Each time you do, it’s like putting a flag in the sand declaring what kind of love you want to inhabit your home. Raise that flag every day. It’s a flag representing both surrender and resolve. Do whatever it takes to keep it flying high. Do something shocking. Do something tender. Do things that will constantly remind the people you love about what they mean to you. Don’t shrink back when honest words of correction are needed, but find a way to express those words laced with love and grace. Remind yourself constantly that every act of extravagant grace is a declaration of immense love.”

Wow.  That is so good!

She goes on, “If we’re to continue to grow into the people God wants us to be, we need to constantly be looking for new and better ways to let the people we love know where we’re at and what we need. Do it often. If you’ve been quietly sucking it up, stop it. Start communicating your needs. It’s only in vulnerability and with this kind of transparency that our deepest needs become visible to the ones God has given us to bear them with us.”

That is so good.  That can really be tough, it can be.  But it is so needed.  Your relationship is worth it.

So, how are you doing, really doing? 
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