Be My Valentine Challenge - Week 2

Alright ladies, how are we doing???  Have you embarked on the challenge?  I loved how some of you, right away embraced the challenge and stated you were in.  So, let me know how it went.  I really am curious.

As for me and my lovely family, I was presently surprised as to the results.  I began the week praising him in front of our children, and it hit me in a "God-sized way" that I NEVER do this.  I felt convicted and a bit guilty, but blessed that God had opened my eyes to my negligence.  My daughter rarely hears me praise my husband, but often hears us in our dealings with day to day life.  Don't worry folks, I'm not over here beating myself up, and neither should you, but the results of such praise, was my silent stirring that I can do better, we all can.

The coolest result that came about was our 3, almost 4 year old, joined in.  She even declared one day, after he walked out the door, "Mommy, daddy loves when we kiss and hug him."

Another result was a change in MY heart.  I was conscious of what I was trying to do, and although I had meltdowns, I tried NOT to say negative things, because I knew it would be harder to say positive things when the appropriate time came.    

Last week, I called us to take on this challenge so that we can silence the nagging enemy and have marriages that glorify God and change the people around us.  Has your week of praise caused Satan to worry that he can no longer have a foothold in your marriage?  Is he trembling?  Marriage is one of the most powerful relationships we embark on.  God can use our marriages in huge ways when we let Him, OR we can allow Satan to meddle and use our marriage relationship the way HE wants to.

So, week 2 is upon us.  The challenge this week is very similar - Praise your man, but strive to do so in more creative ways.  Last week, we got our feet wet, and got used to the idea of consciously thinking of ways to incorporate this activity into each and every day.  Over at Women Living Well, Courtney gives us some great ideas.  Go check them out, and try to have fun!  If you are like me, I sort of cringed when I saw crafts and cute hearts.  Ughh.......who has time or energy for this?!?!  Certainly not me with my growing belly, busy babies, and crazy schedule.  I am a pinterest junky because I like to live vicariously through these crafty women who are kickin' butt and takin' names.  I am going to try though.  My husband appreciates when I try, and I am sure yours does and will too; even if the small construction paper hearts are not even close to what they call symmetrical.

Anyway, go for it!  Be creative.  Be encouraged that God is at work when we are conscious of how added love and praise improves this powerful, God ordained relationship called marriage!

Please chime in below and let me know how it goes.  

We can all benefit from your ideas, successes, and encouragement!       

               

Be My Valentine Challenge

Valentine's Day seems to always sort of sneak up on me.  I don't like the hoopla of the holiday and I think the commercialism has taken us by storm.  Perhaps my complacency is directly linked to my secret boycott of a holiday that has become an isolated day to show our spouses, significant others, etc., how much we love them in the form of chocolate, flowers, candies, jewelry, or other material things.  I find it annoying and ridiculous.  I almost want to skip it, but I won't.  I concede and buy something or do something nice for a very deserving man that I love very much.  

This year, in a season where our lives are swirling around us, preparing for a new baby who will be 15 glorious months younger than the last, I want it to be meaningful.  I feel that far too often, we imagine a love that will sustain any challenge without any work.  I think we say things like, "We will reconnect in a few months when things slow down," or "He knows I love him," or even worse, "He isn't trying right now either!"  More than anything, I feel that I (and perhaps I am in a lonely corner on this one, though I suspect that is far from reality), have the propensity to believe dry spells in marriage are sustained by good thoughts and false hope.  I want a marriage that overcomes challenging times, but if that is what I want I need to fight like I mean it.             

Women Living Well is hosting a 4 week challenge for Valentine's Day that has caught my eye.  There will be 4 weeks of similar challenges - to praise, encourage, inspire, admire, build up, thank and appreciate our husbands - that I believe are worth our time as wives.  

I am giggling a bit as I write this because on a day like today, I believe that I can do this!  I think my husband rocks and I love him to miniatures  and he is so cool and calm and collected.  We woke up laughing about something our Nora was doing, and shared a nice kiss goodbye.  Life was happy and calm and good.  Buuuuuuuuut, and this is a BIG BUT, this challenge goes for days when I find his dirty socks around the house, have to clean up after something I think he should have really taken care of himself and/or take up for where he is lacking.  This challenge goes for the days where I feel like I have done a great job keeping up despite all the glorious symptoms of the 8th month of pregnancy, and feel he hasn't met my expectations, and I refuse to offer grace or mercy in his direction.  It goes for days where crabbiness wins and, because of my poor attitude or his, he is difficult to live with, and all of his shortcomings are magnified.  Yup, all of these days too.  

I am up for the challenge.  Are you?  Let's join together and work on our marriages this month.  Let's show Hallmark how it's done and glorify God with marriages that make the enemy tremble with despair.  

Pray for me as I embark on this challenge.....and let me know if you're planning to do this too in the comment section below.                  

Week 1 January 21st - Look for ways to praise your husband verbally. Praise him in front of the kids, friends, family, co-workers, on facebook, tweet it – get praise out anyway you can! Try to mention something noteworthy he has done – in his role as provider, father, husband, lover, or friend. If the thought of trying to come up with one terrifies you, then pray right now that God will give you new eyes to see your husband as God does. Then open your mouth and say something kind and uplifting to your husband today and tomorrow and the next day until Valentine’s Day arrives!