Husband Encouragement Challenge

Today is the day that Christine at Fruit in Season is starting her 30-Day Honor Your Husband Challenge. It's more of a week by week thing, instead of every day being a new focus as we have here at this challenge. The rules are this:

Throughout each day, put aside negative words and bring good to your husband by words and actions. Notice things he does for you and your family and show your appreciation. Compliment him. Speak well of him in public, both in his presence and when he is not with you. Give him the opportunity to be your hero and praise his masculinity. Tell your children (if you have them) how wonderful their daddy is. Accept his decisions with grace and really support them, even if you don't fully agree. If you have a disagreement, show respect by maintaining a pleasant tone of voice and eye contact. Serve him first at the dinner table. Don't be insincere, but surprise him by withholding a typical negative reaction in favor of a God-honoring one.

Choose a few small goals for yourself each week and make sure to post them. Write them on post-its and put them on your mirror, in your car and your purse, or anywhere else you'll see them. Keep a journal for the month about successes and struggles. What is hardest for you to do? What comes easily? How is your husband responding to your efforts?

I'm going to start writing a goals list every week, so I have focus to my intentions for honoring my husband. Here are mine for this week:

• If there are chores that I want Kevin to do around the house, I will kindly ask him instead of hoping he'll notice and do it on his own. (I had a bit of tamper tantrum this weekend when boxes needed to go out to recycling)
• Choose at least one thing daily to compliment Kevin on and voice it TO him. Throughout this challenge so far, I've been good about building him up to others but not so much directly TO him (besides thank yous), so I'm going to work on that.
• Maintain a cheerful attitude about the work I do at home for my family. And speak only with a loving and respectful tone of voice.
  

June 18--DAY 18

30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge
By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy . . . Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!" Ps. 16:11a; 144:15b

"A merry heart does good like medicine . . ." Prov. 17:22a

It's hard to criticize others when we are enjoying their company. Instead of speaking negatively to your husband today, enjoy him! Encourage him! As you experience fullness of joy with God, share some of that joy with your husband. Does your husband have a playful side? A great sense of humor? Is there a "little boy" that wants to escape from time to time, reflecting the joy in his heart? This is a wonderful part of who he is, and a great strength. Let him know that you appreciate his joyfulness and his playful spirit. Find opportunities to join him in positive play times.

If your husband can sometimes be overly serious, coax him out occasionally for some play times. It will help him relieve stress and relax.

My husband, overly serious? Ha! Kevin and I are very silly together and with Eli. We're always laughing, playing games, and doing fun things! We have great fun together every day! And there are so many "inside joke" type things we do that only we understand. I love that about us! I truly am happy with my husband, and for that I have another reason to be thankful!

We can do great things only with God's help. So Christine suggests starting each day with this prayer that she wrote for us:
God of renewal, everywhere your Holy Spirit breathes new life into creation. As I undertake this day to bring glory to you by honoring my husband, I ask you to be present in my marriage. Guide me to know in which things I should ask forgiveness, in which things I should change, and in which things I should ask for the grace to let go. Show me new ways to respect my husband today and open my eyes to all that you have made him to be. I trust in your goodness and in the covenant my husband and I made with you and each other on our wedding day. Through Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.*


You want to share today? Leave your name below and either link to your blog or post in the comments section! It's the start of a new week!