Be My Valentine Marriage Challenge

Here is week two's challenge from Courtney:

This week's challenge is: be a little more creative with your praise. Surprise your husband with:

1. A love message on the mirror


2. A love message packed in his lunch


3. Use sidewalk chalk and write a love message on the driveway


4. Write a list of ten things you admire about him and then read them out loud to him.


5. Make a toast to him at dinner with friends. Or raise your glass at dinner and list the things you admire about your husband for your children to hear!


6. Buy or make your husband a trophy and engrave it with the words "The Best Husband in the World." (I found a cheap trophy at a party supplies store - the kids loved presenting it to daddy)


7. Write a poem - even if you can't write - it can be goofy. Include in it references to your favorite movies, restaurants, places to go and memories. He will enjoy the trip down memory lane and the laugh!


8- Blow up balloons and put a loving message in each one. Fill your bedroom with balloons as a surprise.


9- Take a roll of receipt tape and write a long message with the things you admire and respect about your husband - then roll it up and put it in a bottle for your husband to open and read. (I made many of these for my husband in college when we were dating long distance. I mailed them in packages.)


10. Get creative with your selflessness!

So I challenge you today to not just show your husband you love him but show him that you LIKE him!

Thanks for the challenge, Courtney. I personally like #4. Is that because it is straightforward and not too creative? Maybe it is because it doesn't require any extra cleaning like writing on the mirror would? Perhaps it is just because it is so easy to think of ten things that I like about my husband!

I have read the book "The Excellent Wife" by Martha Peace several times (she signed my book at a women's retreat when I was engaged!). Today I would like to share something from it. Here it is:
Eighteen Ways to glorify Your Husband
(Taken from “The Excellent Wife” by Martha Peace)
1.Ask your husband, “What are your goals for the week?”
2.Ask your husband, “How can I help you accomplish these goals?”
3.Ask your husband, “Is there anything that I can do differently that would make it easier for you?”
4.Be organized with cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry, and cooking. As you fulfill your God-given responsibilities, your husband is then free to do his work.
5.Save some of your energy every day for him.
6.Put him first over the children, your parents, friends, job, ladies’ Bible studies, etc.
7.Willingly and cheerfully rearrange your schedule for him when necessary.
8.Talk about him in a positive light to others. Do not slander him at all, even if what you are saying is true.
9.Do whatever you can to make him look good, to accomplish his goals. Some examples are to offer to run errands for him, organize your day to be available to help him with his projects, pray for him and make good suggestions. Give him the freedom not to use your suggestion, and do not be offended if he does not follow it.
10.Consider his work (job, goals, hobbies, work for the Lord) as more important than your own.
11.Think of specific ways that you can help him accomplish his goals. Examples are get up early in the mornings to help him get off to work having had a good breakfast, take care in recording telephone messages for him, anticipate any needs he may have in order to attain a specific goal, and keep careful records of money spent to keep up with the budget.
12.Consider the things that you are involved in. How do they glorify your husband? Ask his guidance.
13.Be warm and gracious to his family and friends. Make your commitment to him obvious to them.
14.Do and say things that build him up instead of tear him down.
15.Dress and apply your makeup in an attractive way that is pleasing to your husband.
16.When your husband sins, reprove him privately and gently, always giving him hope and pointing him to the Lord.
17.Encourage him to use his spiritual gifts in ministry.
18.Realize that just as God is glorified when man obeys Him, your husband is glorified when you obey your husband.

Let's give glory to our Lord as we glorify our husbands!