Husband Encouragement Challenge

Reflections on yesterday...
Yesterday's challenge was to focus on how I appreciate my husband's hard work. I have to admit, sometimes this is hard for me to do because right now in his navy career he has a pretty easy schedule and is often home by noon after going in at 6:30. But yesterday I really thought about what he does, and regardless of his schedule, he does work very hard, at work and at home, and I am soooo thankful. He is the provider for this family, and I appreciate that very very much. And periodically I do tell him "Thanks for working, honey, so that I can stay home with Eli." Here's the comment I wrote on yesterday's blog:

I am so thankful for my husband's work, allowing us to live comfortably while I stay at home with Eli. Being in the military, he wakes up EARLY (5am) every single day, and sometimes he gets on a job such that he works straight through the weekends for a couple weekends in a row, not to mention all the years he was on a ship and out for weeks/months at a time. And when he does have a few days off, he spends most of it doing auto maintenance. Plus all the work he does at home, like cleaning up after dinner every night, taking out trash, heavy-duty cleaning, and other misc things. Kevin is a hard worker, and I'm so proud of him! I appreciate all he does for our family!

I've taken a peek at today's challenge and I'm excited for it....

30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge
By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

June 5--DAY 5
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Eph. 4:29

Another way to describe the positive side of this "30-Day Encouragement Challenge" is by using the word "edify," which means, "to build up." Negative comments only discourage and tear down. Positive comments encourage and build.

Do you edify your husband before others, adding to his value in their eyes? This is especially important to other family members.

Do you praise your husband to his relatives, and yours? Does your husband's mother know how much you love him? How about your dad? Perhaps you can drop a word of praise into a conversation or letter. Be creative in letting your relatives know that you respect your husband, love him, and support him - in spite of whatever flaws and weaknesses he may have.

Hmm... alright this gets me thinking. What can I do today? since I know this is something I could work on.... Today I'm going to write a kind letter to Kevin's family, including several wonderful things that he's been doing around here, how much I love being married to him, how much I love this life, this family. We'll see what I come up with and maybe when it's done I'll share it with you! Not today, but as a future practice, I want to make sure I say at least one nice thing Kevin's done when I talk on the phone with friends or family, EVERY time I talk on the phone with friends and family. I know every week on my Thankful Thursday list I make sure I include Kevin on something and find something that I'm specifically thankful for about him or that he's done. Not only does it help my heart and my attitude, but it builds him before others.

Also today I'm making him a little snack, just for him (but I'll probably eat some too), since a couple weeks ago he mentioned how he'd like to have more frequent small snacks and treats than just one main dessert a week. So that's what I'm going to do today... that part will be my "Tackle It Tuesday"! haha. How fun!

So if you're doing the challenge today, good luck! Let us know what you're doing and how it's going!