For it is in dying to ourselves that we learn to live for others.  This has opened a new window of perspective on marriage for me and led to my current reading of Gary Thomas’s book, The Sacred Marriage.

My yoga teacher shared this quote with us the other day in class and it really resonated on a personal level for me with how we treat our family members.  When we interact with or think about our family members, we should reflect if we are supporting them or fighting against them?

In church the next day, I was reminded of a way we can live more for each other: by “covering” others shortcomings with love and support instead of exposing others’ problems with blame and projected shame. 

After completing a personality profile yesterday at our awesome church and confirming that I am indeed an extroverted, dynamic personality that loves to influence, connect with, and lead people I also got some insight into things I can work on to perfect this personality type.  The top things I learned were to slow down and listen more. 

The slowing down suggestion did not come as a surprise to me, but I do consider myself a good listener.  Since receiving this advice I have noticed how often I interject into a conversation because I think I know what the person is going to say next and where the conversation as a whole is going.  By combining the slowing down with listening more I have started to give other people more time and space to express themselves. 

As it has been revealed to me so I have attempted to put into words:

When dark spirits enter My Temple that is your body, call on me.  For they come to corrupt and to tear apart and destroy the Holy of my creation.  But I am the Roar of the Lion of Judah and nothing unclean may withstand me.  I am both the Word and He who speaks it, and My Roar is My Holy Spirit sounded through the trumpet call of the righteous at war. 

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As a new father I feel this one profoundly.