Love Is ... Weird

You are probably wondering, "What is up with the weird title?"   "Weird" is not exactly the word I usually think of when I think about "Love".


Well ... I've been reading a new book; and the title is, "Weird: Because normal isn't working."


Have any of you heard about it?


Have any of you read it?


I am REALLY enjoying this new book that Jim picked up at the local bookstore.  It has definitely captured my attention.


But ... back to the title of this post ...


"Love Is ... Weird" is the title of one of the chapters.  And, one of the little tips that Craig Groeschel (the author) shares in this chapter, has made a DRAMATIC impact on our marriage.  Seriously.


The past few weeks (before our anniversary), Jim had made it a point to look me in the eye nearly every day and say, "I Love You."  But, sadly, I admit,  it didn't mean too much to me.  Because of all of the past actions ... because of the lack of communication ... because of all of the hurt and pain that has taken place this past year ... I would look at him and think, "What exactly do you mean by that?"  "Where are the actions to back up the words?"




Then, I went out to dinner with Jim, and the Restoration Project began.  On the way home from our Date Night, I read aloud a short excerpt from the chapter, "Love is ... Weird".  And ... Jim took it to heart.




"Which brings us to communication.  Again, a no-brainer essential ingredient to any healthy relationship.  Yet in marriage, it takes effort to continue working on communication day after day, year after year.  ...


If you are a man, it's especially helpful to pursue your wife with words of affection.  Normal guys do this when they are dating but let it wane when married.  Don't be normal. Women especially need nonsexual affection ... Normal men often abandon verbal compliments after marriage.  One of the most helpful things I've counseled men to do is to add one word to their expression of love:  because.


The next time you say, "I love you," add this word: because.  "I love you because ..."  Then fill in the blank.  Say something specific that is special to you. ...


Here's the key.  Always add a because - but never repeat a reason.  Be creative.  And be sincere.  Each time you say it, give her a different because.


Ladies, just as you need to be affirmed with words of affection, your man needs to be affirmed with words of affirmation. ..."




Yes.  That short excerpt from this Weird book, caught our attention and gave us a little direction for an area that we struggled in.


The next morning I woke up to find a little sticky note on my bathroom mirror.  It said, "Thank you for being an amazing woman of God.  I love you."


And, the next 6 days I have found the following sticky notes on my bathroom mirror ...

I Love You Because ...

... you warm my heart.

... you support and encourage me.

... you encourage so many people

with your blog.

... you show compassion.

... you're my best friend.

... you have a spark of hope and love

in your eyes.

I was even out-of-town overnight on Monday/Tuesday, and I awoke Tuesday morning to my phone beeping to let me know I had a text message:

I love u because ... 

u always dress up

and catch my attention

and u look great.

Last Friday, Jim came to me and said, "I REALLY enjoy writing you those notes.  It has been REALLY fun.  I am wondering if I could buy you a little notebook that you could keep all of the sticky notes in."

Is that sweet, or what?!?!




Yes.  Love is Weird ... it is Not Normal ... when it results in actions done God's Way.




Is your marriage Weird?  


I hope so.

More details coming with how we WIVES need to show our husbands that we LOVE them in a Weird Way, too.