Based on the film, Fireproof, which I don't own but absolutely love.

Laundry Days

Caleb entered the house exhausted; it had been a long day at the fire station. He thanked God that he had the next twelve hours off; it would give him time to do the laundry and go shopping.

He smiled to himself as he thought of his chores, even just two weeks he would have been put out at the thought of doing these for himself let alone for his wife, Catherine.

Now doing anything for her, brought a smile to his face. Making her happy and surprising her made his day. He couldn't believe that just a few weeks ago even praying for her had been an alien thought; now he prayed for her all the time. He prayed that she would find it in her heart to forgive him, that he could be the love of her life again, but most of all that she would find Jesus like he had, that she would make the decision to live for Him.

He knew that she still wanted to get the divorce and that she hadn't forgiven him yet but at least she wasn't talking about it anymore. That gave him hope, although he would have preferred that she sought his counsel and spoke to him but the fact that they still lived in the same house gave him hope. If she was really bitter and angry, as she had every right to be, she would have left him or better still asked him to leave, yet she hadn't.

After finishing his chores, Caleb went to him room and picked up The Love Dare. He was on day 41, apparently he had successful gone through the forty days. Where had they gone? He wondered. He sat on his bed and wondering what he was supposed to do now, then he thought about it. He would continue as though he was on the dare, he had nothing to lose after all, and a lot to gain. He pulled out his Bible and read it and then got down on his knees.

Today he'd cook Catherine dinner and leave it in the oven for her with a note; he'd already bought her favourite flowers and wine. He'd set it up before going out in the evening. He hoped that she would be glad that he'd taken the time but even if she wasn't he'd have tried. He would have tried and that the best that he could do after all.

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Catherine came home from work, tired. It hadn't been a particularly good day at work and seeing her mum in that condition hadn't made her feel any better.

She would just have a bath and sleep, she was too tired to cook and she didn't want to order any take-out. She wished she was like the other normal married people. If she were she'd have found that Caleb had prepared her a meal or something but their marriage wasn't like that, although Caleb had changed of late. He probably wanted something from her but she wasn't going to give in. She was going to be strong for once in her life.

She opened the door, threw her bag on the chair and hung up her coat. She was really hungry, so she'd have to cook. She went to the kitchen; there was a bottle of her favourite wine and flowers on the table. Propped up on the bottle was a note.

I thought you might be too tired to cook, so I left you something in the oven. Enjoy.

Catherine read it twice and then opened the oven. He had prepared her a beef casserole. She warmed it and sat down to eat. Caleb was definitely up to something but it was good of him to cook for her.

She didn't know what made her do it, but after supper she went to the laundry room and found that Caleb had washed her clothes as well. She took them out of the dryer and got the iron out; she may as well iron the clothes. Afterwards she took Caleb's clothes to his room, after putting them away she noticed a book that was half hidden under his pillow.

The Love Dare.

She flipped through it, it certainly explained a lot. He was probably using it in an effort to win her back. She wondered idly, as she put it back on which day he was.

She put it back and left the room.

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