Wedding Wednesday

I found this great article on pinterest about inspiring your husband from Mom Life Today and thought I would share some of the suggestions. Since we have been talking about being your husbands' bigget fan I thought this would be the perfect time to share.

Send him an email. Example: “Praying for you today. Thanks for being so courageous in [insert specific area].”

Give him one night on a regular basis to do something he loves.

Consistently mention ways you see him growing to be more like Christ.

Ask him about his “bucket list.”

Give him a book, audio CD, or ticket to learn about something he loves doing.

Ask him about some dreams he has — and pray about them together, evaluating them. Then ask how you can help him go after them.

Text him. Example: “REMINDER: I BELIEVE IN U.”

Leave sticky notes in his lunch, on his steering wheel, in his briefcase, etc. “So proud of all you’ve been doing with ___.” “You are so great with our kids.” “You are my dream come true.”

Suggest that he take some time to go pursue a hobby.

Ask him how you can pray for him at work. Later on in the week, ask about his prayer requests again.

Be proactive about doing something together that he really enjoys: make a date, get him excited, and share his enthusiasm!

Tell him areas he’s gifted in. Don’t stretch the truth; be honest so he can trust you.

Talk with him about setting aside a small part of the budget to pursue the ways God has created him — through education or through sheer enjoyment.

Ask God to open your eyes to the ways He has made your husband and to give you wisdom about how to maximize that workmanship.

Ban yourself from any nagging, the Great Life-Sucker.

Ask, “If I could do one thing I’m not already doing that would really empower you and inspire you, what would it be?” Listen — resist being defensive (the hard part) — and follow through.

Buy him something small to stoke the fires: a journal for a writer; some carpentry pencils for a woodworker; some grilling tools for the master chef. Add a sweet note: “Just because I love the way you’re made.”

Do something fun and unexpected together: paintball; laser tag; on a spring day, have a picnic, blow bubbles, and bring the books you’re reading; swing; go to a drive-in movie, bring popcorn, and instigate a make-out session.

Think about a way you’ve been hurting him, annoying him, or not “seeing” him. Apologize, and work hard at showing true change.

Create a cheerful atmosphere when he comes home.

Design a date night that will help him to de-stress and have fun.

Discover his love language and become even more fluent in it.

What’s hard about his life right now? Pray for his endurance, and encourage him specifically. Galatians 6:9 is a great start for both.

Be a student of your husband. Does he feel inspired if he’s got all his ducks in a row? If he’s got a creative space to think? If he feels verbally affirmed?

What do you think of these suggestions? Did you find them helpful? Do you have your own suggestions to share? I found these really helpful, especially the tips on how to specifically pray for your husband. I find myself repeating the same... or very similar prayers so I enjoyed the fresh ideas for how to pray for Garth.

I strongly belive in creating a happy atmosphere for your husband. I want Garth to feel refreshed, encouraged, and safe at home. I think this is one of my strengths. I always give Garth a big hug and kiss when he comes home. I listen to him talk about his day. Really listen. I help him with dinner or make the dinner while he runs. I am supportive and encouraging of his running. I keep a clean, neat, and organized home.
I think my weakness would be nagging. I have a tendency to pick at the flaws and not always focus on the positives. I know this bugs him and makes him feel disrespected and I am honestly trying to be more encouraging and complimentary. I know he will do what he needs to do and he does not need to be reminded. I am not his mom. I am sincerely trying to make more of an effort to not focus on the small stuff that does not matter in the end. So what if his shoes are not put away or the dishes are in the sink. There is more to life than that. But just letting him know what I need to get done really helps me feel less stressed out, but it makes him more stressed out.

I'm a work in progress, that's for sure. This list gave me inspiration to find new ways to encourage and inspire him. For example, yesterday I used the post-it suggestion and wrote all kinds of encouraging, loving words to him and posted them all over his running cabinet that I knew he would open when he got home from work. I knew he would be surprised. I was exciting all day for him to open it up and see my notes.