• He made most of our Christmas presents this year thanks to his new found wood-working hobby.
• He has been giving the kiddos baths so I don’t have to bend over the tub with my growing belly (huge thanks babe!)
• He is a GREAT daddy! In the evenings you won’t find T.V. on in our house – you’ll find my husband on the floor playing with the kiddos for nearly two hours while I rest on the couch and watch them laugh and play.

Give your spouse something eternal – a gift of affirmation. Here is my challenge for you:

Write your husband a letter that details (very specifically and genuinely) why you respect him. Perhaps you can think of ten reasons you admire him, look up to him, or trust him. If you are single, consider writing a letter to your future husband sharing with him how you long to love him well by respecting him, and how you hold it a dear privilege to one day have him to honor.

“Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband…” Ephesians 5:33

If you struggle respecting your husband, ask the Lord to show you areas that in his life that are respectable Think upon those things and then write with a heart of love. Remember, God doesn’t ask us to respect our husbands, He requires us to, whether we think they are worthy or not.

Respect – To regard highly; think much of; to consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor.

Sometimes the affirmation and encouragement from a wife is just what a husband needs to step up and be a man worthy of respect.

Here are some very practical tips to help you respect your husband from the article Living Ephesians 5: Wives, Respect Your Husband: (I recommend taking the time to click on the link and read the whole article. Below is just an excerpt.)

Respect him Verbally, Intellectually, and Physically.

Verbally

Cut out (ok…cut back) complaining and add in compliments.If you want to have a peaceful, happy marriage, learn the art of the compliment. Compliments are like magnets and the more you compliment your husband the more he will be attracted to you. Begin to notice when he does it right and verbally encourage him by complimenting him at least once a day. If you are having a hard time thinking of anything to admire, consider these categories: physical traits, mental skills, financial strengths, spiritual growth, or healthy relationships with others (children, parents, or friends). You may be asking “Hey, why should I compliment him when he NEVER compliments me?” Because, if you want your marriage to grow and bloom, you’ll have to water it with kindness and encouragement. Then, as he sees your sincere efforts, he will begin to change too. Don’t give up.If you do need to bring up a difficult issue, place it between two compliments, also known as a “Compliment Sandwich.” Here’s an example, “Honey, I know how hard you work for our money and that Sally’s braces will be expensive, but I need your decision before her appointment tomorrow. I hope we can do this for her, but if you want to wait, I trust your judgment. What should I tell the orthodontist? ”

Intellectually

Men like to solve problems and fix things. So appeal to his intelligence by asking him to help you solve a problem. Instead of saying “This garage is a mess, clean up your camping stuff!” Try, “I’d like your help with something. Could you figure out a storage system for all the camping supplies?”Don’t imply that he isn’t smart. Instead of saying “I think you are wrong about…” Say, “I’m confused about…please explain it again” (Remember to keep your tone of voice sarcasm-free.)Request his help on Spiritual matters too. Ask him to explain a passage of Scripture or ask him to pray for you when you are going through a difficult time. If your husband is not the spiritual leader in your home, continue to pray for him and ask him if there is anything you are doing that is hindering his relationship with God.Men don’t give a lot of weight to feelings — show them facts and they’ll be more likely to listen. For example: if he wants to buy a car that you think is too expensive, don’t launch into a hissy-fit, write out your monthly expenses and ask him what other things should be cut out in order to buy his car. Let the facts speak for you. When you cannot reach an agreement, instead of trying to wear him down by nagging or crying say, “Is that your final decision or can I still try to convince you?” If it’s his final decision, then honor it. It’s freeing — let him carry the responsibility of your family.

Physically

Physically — ask what he would like you to do and then, do it. Find out what his top three needs are. Ron likes the laundry done, physical intimacy a least twice a week (guaranteed) and he likes me to keep my “girly-make-up stuff” off of the bathroom counter. If these top needs are met, he’s content and easy to get along with. I know it sounds simple, but each of us have different things that make us feel loved and appreciated. You won’t know what he wants unless you ask him.Be aware of your body language. You can communicate disrespect by rolling your eyes, crossing your arms, or slamming doors. Reflect your new decision to respect your husband in your heart, mind, and body.

…

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Let me paint a familiar picture for you of a typical married couple:

Husband (trying to initiate a physical encounter by “groping” his wife): No words needed.

Wife (busy with something -dishes, computer, etc.): “Quit it! I’m right in the middle of something. Honey, I love you, but come on, can you just give me some space? All you do is want something physical from me! Can you just wait?!”

Husband: Goes and does something else.

Some feelings of disrespect, a little rejection, a missed opportunity for godliness.

Godliness?

Let’s face it, marriage is hard. While it is also a refuge, the fact is that God intentionally made man and woman different – complementary, but also at odds. We have to make the effort to love the other in ways that may not, and probably are not, like our own (especially when you throw kiddos in the mix). God could have made our desires the same, why didn’t He?

I truly believe that marriage is the ultimate character building design (with having raising children in a close second). We grow in godliness if we allow marriage to do its job, so to speak. We can either just be married and live with one another, settling for mediocrity, or we can get out of our comfort zones, let down walls, be stretched until it hurts, and serve…even if we are not served in return. The reward might (and probably will) be a stronger and more intimate marriage, but it will definitely have a reward of godliness.

Perseverance, humility, selflessness, and a pure conscience before God are some of those rewards. We should never settle for the status quo in marriage. God didn’t settle when it came to His bride, those He dearly loved but who had turned away from Him. He pursued us, He gave His life for us, and He purifies us. This is how we should view marriage – something to pursue, give our lives up for, and purify…till death do us part.

“Love endures long and is patient and kind;

love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy,

is not boastful or vainglorious,

does not display itself haughtily.

It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride);

it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.

Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way,

for it is not self-seeking;

it is not touchy or fretful or resentful;

it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness,

but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes,

is ever ready to believe the best of every person,

its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances,

and it endures everything [without weakening].

Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].”

…

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My husband is one stellar dude because he took the giblets out of the turkey for me! I know, I know, it’s really no big deal. I, however, do not like to stick my hand in the rear end of a lifeless creature (or a life filled creature for that matter!).

but praise the Lord it turned out great!

My husband rocks because he worked so hard to get the playroom finished! The kiddos and I absolutely LOVE it!

He built all the shelves himself!

I can’t wait to use this room as a homeschool room as well! Yippee!!!

To check out more MHR head on over to The Great Adventure!

My husband ROCKS because he is building/making a playroom for the kiddos in our basement! I am soooooooooooooooo……. excited about this!!! I’m getting the toys out of the living room – woo hoo! :)

Okay, so maybe not more about money today, but I do intend to continue the series on Monday. Yea, I really don’t know how long it will last – just go with it! :) By the way, thank you for linking up yesterday and sharing your great tips!

As for hubby, he so rocks because he is very wise with our finances…cutting up my credit cards was the best thing he could have done for us! Thank goodness one of us is financially savvy! (The Great Adventure has more stories of lovin’ on husbands!)

Ooooh, and now chocolate, the best part (sorry babe, chocolate is right up there with ya!) Lisa over at Stop & Smell the Chocolates hosts “Do You Want Chocolate With That?” every Friday, and I’m trying to get on board! Here is my easy, yummy, healthy recipe for ya’ll (it’s the Georgia gal in me comin’ out!)

What you need:

Yogurt (I use strawberry – hmmm…)

Granola cereal (I picked something with chocolate in it so I could post today!)

Strawberries (I just buy ‘em frozen)

Bananas

Here’s what you do:

You just layer all the ingredients how you like! Yep, that easy! Enjoy!

My husband rocks because he let’s me sleep in on Sunday mornings. He gets up with the kiddos, makes them breakfast (and sometimes even brings me breakfast in bed), and plays with them while I get my Z’s. Whatta man!

Tell everyone why your husband rocks by going to Katy Lin’s blog, The Great Adventure!