As some of you may know, the Hubs and I just celebrated another anniversary. We are still newly weds, having only been married a mere two years, but even so, it takes a LOT of work to keep our relationship going strong. Lucky for me, I came across this pin while on Pinterest the other day, and have found it to be extremely great advice:
1. Initiate great sex.
2. Send him an email. Example:
“Praying for you today. Thanks for being so courageous in [insert specific
area].”
3. Give him one night on a regular
basis to do something he loves.
4. Consistently mention ways you
see him growing to be more like Christ.
5. Ask him about his “bucket list.”
6. Give him a book, audio CD, or
ticket to learn about something he loves doing.
7. Ask him about some dreams he has
— and pray about them together, evaluating them. Then ask how you can help him
go after them.
8. Text him. Example: “REMINDER: I
BELIEVE IN U.
9. Make sure he feels respected by
you.
10. 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.” “You are an incredible lover.”
11. Suggest that he take some time
to go pursue a hobby.
12. Leave a message on his
voicemail: “Thanks for going to work every day to take care of our family. You
are so good at what you do.”
13. Ask him how you can pray for
him at work. Later on in the week, ask about his prayer requests again.
14. Be proactive about doing
something together that he really enjoys: make a date, get him excited, and
share his enthusiasm!
15. Tell him areas he’s gifted in.
Don’t stretch the truth; be honest so he can trust you.
16. Pray for him.
17. Initiate great sex.
18. Start and keep a “Dreams”
binder with him. Include some travel brochures or whatever gets you excited. In
the back, make sure you have a “Dreams turned reality!” file.
19. 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.
20. Post on his Facebook wall: “I
love being your wife! See me tonight regarding this.”
21. Gently communicate with him
about what you like in bed, and respond encouragingly to his attempts.
22. Remember a dream that he had a
long time ago. Talk with him about whether it’s still a dream — and still a
possibility.
23. 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.
24. Have your children write him
notes or letters about what they love about their dad.
25. Initiate great sex.
26. Ban yourself from any nagging,
the Great Life-Sucker.
27. 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.
28. As you think of them, remind
him of specific times and areas he has impacted people’s lives: “Hey, I was
thinking the other day about all the time you invested in that Cub Scout troop.
Wonder what those boys are doing now. It was so cool to watch them grow with
you as their leader.” “Our son has grown so much in encouraging people lately.
He gets that from you; you are such a good example for him in that.”
29. 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.”
30. 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.
31. Think about a way you’ve been
hurting him, annoying him, or not “seeing” him. Apologize, and work hard at
showing true change.
32. Initiate great sex.
33. Go to a home improvement store
to plan a small, doable project that energizes both of you, even if it’s just
painting a room or fixing up some landscaping. (Hint: Make sure it’s something
by which he won’t feel burdened.)
34. Do something from his to-do
list for him — something that he’d rather have you do anyway.
35. Find a mutually enjoyable
activity you like doing together on a regular basis — even if it’s playing the
Wii together.
36. Create a cheerful atmosphere
when he comes home.
37. Design a date night that will
help him to de-stress and have fun.
38. Discover his love language and
become even more fluent in it.
39. Pray about and pursue at least
one dream of your own, talking with him about it.
40. 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.
41. Organize or clean something in
your home that you know he finds messy.
42. Send a snail-mail love note to
him at the office, affirming him in his work.
43. If there’s something on his
“Honey Do” list at home that he finds overwhelming or has a hard time finding
time to do, talk with him (respectfully and gently) about the possibility of
having it hired out. Make sure he knows it’s not because you find him
incompetent, but that you want to free him from a burden.
44. Initiate great sex.
45. 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?
46. If he’s into dressing nice, go
with him to shop for clothes in which he feels confident.
47. Let him overhear you speaking
well of him on the phone, among friends, or in public places.
48. In his area of weakness, pray
about how to subtly and gently step in and help him.
49. Tell him what a great dad he
is. Be specific.
50. If and when he messes up,
respond with the kind of grace, compassion, and mercy that God gives us.
Respond in a way that communicates, You’re safe with me — and I’m not going
to rehash your failures. This is a secure place for you to grow … and I love
the journey with you.
Isn't that some good stuff?!? The author is Janel Breitenstein, and this is the link to her original post. The website that Janel's work is featured on is chock full of articles re all aspects of female life, so it may be worth exploring - even for you solo gals!
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