I've always known that my wife is a rock star spouse and mom.

What I didn't realize is how taking on one chore of hers for a week would cause me to better understand her.

I've seen the same sitcoms you have. Remember all those wacky episodes where the husband complains about how easy the wife has it and she complains how easy he has it? They switch roles and by the end of it are high-fiving the other just before flashing a cheesy smile at the camera.

I figured I'd give that a shot.

As a gift to my wife, I determined to cook all three meals for my family for seven days in a row.

This meant planning ahead for times I wouldn't be around, as well as doing the grocery shopping. Here's what I realized along the way:

7 Days of Lessons Learned from a Week of Cooking

• Sunday: "Day one. I so, so got this. I cooked a masterpiece at breakfast. Lunch and dinner are out. I'll likely go grocery shopping tomorrow."
• Monday: "I don't think I'm going to make it to the store today. What else do we have on the shelves? I think I can do something with that... and that... and that."
• Tuesday: "Okay, I know I just went shopping and bought meals. It was a half-hour ago when I got back from the store. Why can't I think of anything I bought!? I just put the groceries away. What day is it? I had $7 left in the grocery budget. Can I order in enough food on that?"
• Wednesday: "I think I'm back on track. I made food at every meal that actually followed a nutrition plan. We've had fresh produce each time, too. Is it possible to high-five myself?"
• Thursday: "WHO THE HECK ATE THE LEFTOVERS I WAS SAVING FOR LUNCH? THAT ISN'T JUST "GOOD FOOD!" HAVING THAT IN THE FRIDGE SAVES ME FROM HAVING TO COOK! DOESN'T ANYBODY GET THAT?"
• Friday: "You know, I think Katie has been able to spend more time with the kids this week. I even caught her catching up on the phone with a friend during the time she would've been preparing to cook. I need to give her more of that on purpose after this week is over."
• Saturday: "Finish strong... finish strong... clear eyes... full hearts... can't lose... if you build it, they will come... Bueller…. Bueller… Bueller... I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley."

Honestly, I love cooking. It's a ton of fun.

What I'm not so much a fan of is the way that you have to be thinking about it all day, every day. It's not like you finish feeding everyone at breakfast and then don't have to consider what they'll eat at home or on the go for lunch. Even if you nail those two meals, they'll want dinner and something to snack on.

That's why this post isn't about cooking.

It's about giving your spouse freedom to not do what they always do.

You know how you have that one thing you'd love to have a week off from? So does your spouse.

Maybe you can't do it for a whole week. Perhaps you can do it for a few days, though.

The Bible talks about how marriage is a relationship where love is marked by giving more than getting. What if the way that starts is by us giving... more than getting? What are your thoughts?