Early in our marriage, my husband proclaimed that he would be willing to die for me. I thought my husband’s dramatic declaration sounded good, but I didn’t completely believe him. The evening before, when we were out for dinner, Michael had a milkshake. I didn’t want a whole milkshake just a few sips. I had a sip of his, then another and another. Michael said, ‘Why don’t you order your own milkshake?’ So I challenged him: ‘You would die for me, but you don’t want to share your milkshake?’

We now laugh about the Milkshake Incident. We have learned that to love each other as Christ loves us doesn’t mean making a big, dramatic gesture. It means making countless small sacrifices

for each other.

Michael shows me that he loves me when he speaks kindly to me when I am in a bad mood. He works hard to support our family and does chores around the house when he’d rather do something else. He rubs my feet when they hurt. He even freely shares his milkshakes with me. His daily actions show me that he is laying down his life for me.

Most of us won’t have to die to show our love for others. But we can let go of our own desires in order to love and serve the people in our lives, as a small reflection of what Jesus did in giving up everything for us.

Prayer: Dear Father, may the example of Jesus’ selfless love

inspire us to lay down our own lives in love as well. Amen