Happy Valentines :-). 14th February is finally here!!!! I know not all of us look forward to the day, especially judging by the many memes and puns doing rounds on Social media giving crazy tips to the male species on how to avoid falling for a damsel in distress this Valentines. One that really tickled me was of this Talking Tom with a Nigerian accent LOOOL :D.
For fear of sounding vain, let me just say this - much as I consider myself a hopeless romantic; I DO NOT BELIEVE IN VALENTINES DAY #Boom :-). Thing is, I strongly believe that expressing love and affection to those we hold dear should be an everyday thing. Treasure and treat your loved ones every other day of the year & if you are able to; throw in a nice surprise every so often. Don't sit around waiting for the 14th February so you can be extravagant & clobber your loved one with mapens. Pray tell though, how can you celebrate love everyday? Does it mean that you need to have a special entry in your budget for #LoveManenos or how exactly do you go about it? Allow me share some simple nuggets from 1 Corinthians 13:4 -7 on how you can make your partner feel special every single day in a way that will not dent your finances.
Vs. 4 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Be patient and kind. Treat your better half with as much patience as you can. When they are late for your scheduled meet up and you are about pulling your hair out don't snap at them when they finally arrive. Try understand why they took longer than had been anticipated and avoid rubbing in how they have messed your schedule with their lateness. Acts of kindness will earn you major "Bonga Points" with your loved one *wink*. Open the door for them, pull out the chair for them, help them carry their grocery shopping & when you can help out with chores :-).
Vs. 5 "It does not dishonor others, it is not self - seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."
Learn how to forgive and forget - I call it having a gold fish memory. As quickly as you get angry, forgive and forget as it makes your relationship stronger. Imagine having to be reminded of mistakes you did months ago when an argument comes up huh!!! If you are a regular here then you already know I used to be the undisputed Chairlady of #ClubShortFuse. As a patron of #ClubShortFuse I used get easily irritated and would keep a looooong record of wrongs committed. It's a weakness I had to deal with through God's help as it was getting me into more trouble than I could handle. Express love for your better half by constantly extending forgiveness, keep no record of wrongs they have done & most importantly be selfless in how you treat them.
Vs. 6 "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth."
Those white lies that seem to cover your back anytime you get into a knot will eventually be the very thing that will destroy your relationship. Cultivate an environment with your partner where the truth will always be shared no matter how painful it may be. "A painful truth is better than a pleasant lie", Bryant McGill.
Vs. 7 "It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres."
Make it your primary desire to protect and build trust in your relationship. Hard as it may be, building trust is something that will take time but once you master it, it's a walk in the park. There is nothing that compares to having an assurance that your partner can trust you to take care of their most priced possession - their heart & in turn you having complete trust in your partner that they will take good care of your heart too.
Vs. 8 " Love never fails."