Traci

Are you participating in Courtney’s Summer Marriage Challenge? If not, jump on board! It’s so much fun and it will help to strengthen your marriage.

This week’s challenge:

Week #5 Challenge: Make a list of 5 things you currently do and ask your husband to prioritize them for you of what is important to him. For example – a clean home, home cooked dinner, coupon clipping, service at church, having friends over for dinner, watching/doing sports with him, etc.

I really appreciated Courtney’s post today: Communication Is About Time Management.

She talked about how early on in her marriage, she was running herself ragged trying to catch all the rebates at Walgreens and Rite Aid. Here’s what Courtney said that especially hit me:

I remember one day after I had ran myself ragged with my newborn baby and toddler in tow, getting all of the deals, I complained to my husband about how hard it was and how he should appreciate it!

He looked at me kinda shocked and said “I never asked you to do this?”

I said “but I’m helping us save money, isn’t that important to you?”

It is so important to find out what our husband appreciates the most. Why spend all our energy on trying to please him, in all the wrong ways? So ask him ladies.

I actually did this awhile back, but with 3 things. I wrote a post about it:

For all you married gals out there. . . it is not your job to make cookies for another woman’s husband.

Simply go out of your way to please one man, the one that is yours!

Whether you have been married for just a year, 5, 10, 20, or 50 . . . it does not take long to learn what your husband enjoys.

Is it…

a smiling, happy wife?

a warm meal on the table when he gets home?

a back rub?

a tidy home?

organization?

words of affirmation?

lots of hugs, kisses, and affection?

having fun with him?

cleaning and ironing his clothes?

a phone call just to tell him that you love and appreciate him?

Why not make a list?

Then number them according to what you think is most important to him. Look at your top 3. Now strive to do those 3 things for him every day.

Too hard? I say no.

Now, there are days when I feel like a down right horrible wife. I’m over emotional. Teary. Grumpy.

But when I stop to thank God for all the wonderful things my husband does for me, I can’t help but be thankful. I also realize that God gave me 1 husband. Just 1! I need to take time daily to cultivate my appreciation for him. God commands it.

Ephesians 5:33: “Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

My top 3 for my hubby:

1) A tidy (picked up) home when he gets home from work.
2) A warm meal.
3) Words and touches of affirmation and praise.

So what would be your top 3 for your husband?

Now, prayerfully, strive to daily put those things into practice. Be creative. Ask the Lord to help you please your husband today. Every day.