Anyone who grew up in any Texas town big enough to have a Dairy Queen knows about soft serve ice cream. As most people know, soft serve is a frozen dessert that is softer than typical ice cream. It was actually invented by a British chemical research team (of which Margaret Thatcher was a member--who knew?). That team discovered a unique method of doubling the amount of air in ice cream to create this special product. Most consumers actually prefer the lighter texture of soft serve and so most major ice cream brands now use this manufacturing process.
In a similar way, most folks prefer being around those who serve others with a soft heart. A soft serving heart demonstrates a Christlike quality better than anything. In the world of ice cream, the right combination of air and temperature is as important to the taste of the finished product as the other ingredients. In the world of marriage and family, serving each other softly is as powerful as anything you might actually say or do. It's important to meet each other's emotional needs through daily gifts of affection and consideration. If this does not come naturally for you, fortunately, this can be developed further through learned behavior. Practice! You may already possess deep feelings of fondness for your mate or other family members and feel like that's enough. But I would challenge you to put wheels to your actions so that you can reveal those feelings more effectively.
Men may need extra help in the soft serve department. Dr. Kevin Leman says he has yet to meet a man who, after a long day at work, thinks to himself, "What I really need right now is a long, 45-minute talk with my wife!" But that may be exactly how a man might demonstrate a servant's heart best. After all, sacrificial love does not come naturally to anyone. But it's certainly the most rewarding love you can experience. Find simple ways to express your feelings to those you love. Call during the day. Send a warm email completely out of the blue. Make dinner together as a family. Go for a walk together with your kids and the dog. Smile at your spouse for no reason at all. Do something out of the ordinary that shows that you genuinely care deeply about those you love most.
Love is extra sweet when it's soft serve.
In a similar way, most folks prefer being around those who serve others with a soft heart. A soft serving heart demonstrates a Christlike quality better than anything. In the world of ice cream, the right combination of air and temperature is as important to the taste of the finished product as the other ingredients. In the world of marriage and family, serving each other softly is as powerful as anything you might actually say or do. It's important to meet each other's emotional needs through daily gifts of affection and consideration. If this does not come naturally for you, fortunately, this can be developed further through learned behavior. Practice! You may already possess deep feelings of fondness for your mate or other family members and feel like that's enough. But I would challenge you to put wheels to your actions so that you can reveal those feelings more effectively.
Men may need extra help in the soft serve department. Dr. Kevin Leman says he has yet to meet a man who, after a long day at work, thinks to himself, "What I really need right now is a long, 45-minute talk with my wife!" But that may be exactly how a man might demonstrate a servant's heart best. After all, sacrificial love does not come naturally to anyone. But it's certainly the most rewarding love you can experience. Find simple ways to express your feelings to those you love. Call during the day. Send a warm email completely out of the blue. Make dinner together as a family. Go for a walk together with your kids and the dog. Smile at your spouse for no reason at all. Do something out of the ordinary that shows that you genuinely care deeply about those you love most.
Love is extra sweet when it's soft serve.
1 comment:
Brett & Kellie,
You have cured me, I now know my problem. I don't care for soft serve ice cream. My ice cream has to be HARD. Probably a sign of the condition of my heart sometimes. I think you are on to something. I may have to call you, "DR. LEO MARVIN" ("What About Bob?" movie).
I am moving on to some soft serve. -Craig
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