"GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH A KISS OF LOVE"-1 Peter 5:14
We have covered many serious aspects on this journey of love. These aspects included patience, kindness, and encouragement. They aren't always easy (very rarely easy) but they are vital and crucial to every relationship. They are pillars to holding any relationship up. Its a necessity. But now, how do we greet another, (haven't thought about this aspect)....HOW DO WE GREET OUR SPOUSE? This 'small' issue believe it or not has great significance. A greeting implies who u are n what u mean to that person. You can tell a lot about a couple's relationship from the way they greet one another. It is written all over their expressions, speech and physical contact. But how important do u consider the initial greeting?
It is even written in the Bible about how we should greet other people warmly. "Jesus noted on His Sermon on the Mount that even pagans speak kindly to people they like. Its easy for anyone to do. But Jesus took it a step further and said to be godly means to be humble and gracious enough to even greet your enemies with kindness."....OUCH! PLENTY OF TIMES I HAVE GREETED PEOPLE UNKINDLY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT GREETINGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AWKWARD TOO ME. THAT'S WITH ANYONE, FROM MY HUSBAND TO MY BEST FRIEND TO MY NEIGHBOR...LOL. Its like I look forward to the greeting and giving them a hug and kiss on the cheek (my hubby a big fat kiss on the lip! Sorry, no kissing friends on the lips here...that's going too friendly too far...Lol) but when I see them I freeze up and feel its just easier to say 'HI!' But from a persons point of view on the receiving end...it can set the mood of the moment or visit. It can either make the experience...or break it. It can also be hurtful to them without 'greeter' even knowing it. When my hubby comes home from work and walks in the door I want him to come in and shower me with this amazing greeting. I want him to pick me up, sweep me off my feet, give me a passionate kiss and say "I missed u, how was ur day"! Ok, lol...that might be a bit much but I guess that's how I envision the enthusiasim of it.I am also guilty of being that negative greeter to my husband. I get lazy or feel awkward so I choose to say hi and give him a quick peck on the lips....but realizing all this,. It must seem so meaningless and make him feel unappreciated. So, now that I was honest, how do u greet ur friends, co-workers and spouse? How about strangers or acquaintances? A greeting is "the first impression" and can reflect who you are.
Our spouses deserve a loving and polite greeting but multiplied! We don't realize that our greetings or responses can bring on such a huge misunderstanding. If my husband were to come home and give me a fist bump or that typical man hand shake then a lil hug....I would be so hurt. I wouldn't feel at all special to him. We probabley don't realizr the first things we say in the morning, our looks on our faces when we get in the car or how the energy in our voices on the phone really set the tone. We would make such a difference if we truly expressed how we feel about our spouse when we greeted them. (But don't misunderstand me and go punch ur husband in the face because ur pissed off at him). When someone communicates that they are glad to see you, your sense of self-worth increases and you feel more important and valued.
The story of the PRODIGAL SON is a perfect example. The son was rebellious, wanted his inheritance money and chose to leave then wasted it all on a foolish lifestyle. As soon as he hit his rock bottom and those bad choices caught up with him he felt humbled and ashamed to face his father. Expecting a greeting of disappointment from his father, he instead got the best greeting. He was greeted with love, excitement, celebration, and open arms! He was embraced with a hug and a kiss. That is just like our FATHER in Heaven. We walk away, make foolish and selfish decisions, we hurt God but He is always loving and accepting us back with open arms.
We all mess up, we aren't perfect and our spouses aren't perfect and we all fall short. Your spouse may hurt you, betray you and be cold too you, but we are still called to greet 'even our enemies kindly'. Try greeting your spouse with love, forgiveness and open arms.. a loving greeting can excite ur spouse and bless them by what they see, feel or hear. It can change them and u.. love is a choice....so choose love today.
THE DARE:THINK OF A SPECIFIC WAY YOU WOULD LIKE TO GREET YOUR SPOUSE TODAY. DO IT WITH LOVE AND ENTHUSIASM. (EVEN OVER THE PHONE) THEN DETERMINE TO CHANGE YOUR GREETING TO REFLECT YOUR LOVE FOR THEM.
PRAYING FOR YOU TODAY. PRAYING GOD CHANGES UR HEARTS AND YOUR SPOUSES. GOD BLESS.
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