(Jenn made this wonderful button! Isn't it great??)Join me in the 30-day Honor Your Husband Challege!
Honoring and respecting our husbands is at the heart of our marital responsibilities as godly wives. We are called to do our husbands "good and not harm" every day, but often our husbands are not the first priority. And even when they are our first priority we can always do more to show them how we appreciate and honor them as the head of our family. No matter the circumstances in your life right now, how long you've been married, how busy you are, or how many kids you have,
now is a great time to make respecting your hubby a top priority!Why am I doing this challenge? I am doing it for the simple reason that I want accountability as I, too, practice what I believe to be one of the most important daily (or hourly!) choices we can make. With the stress of a new baby and 3 other little ones Jason has unfortunately fallen down my list of priorities and I think it's time to get back on track. Of course, I thought it would be much more fun to have some company! Below you find the guidelines for our challenge and suggestions for some day to day ways to implement it. Be creative and come back each week to share how you've honored your hubby each week. Post your thoughts on your blog and link them up. If you don't have a blog, you can still join in by adding your name to Mr. Linky and giving your thoughts in the comments. I, for one, want my husband to say that he has the best wife around! What about you?
God has a solution that, if we adopt it, will revolutionize our relationships. While many people fight to receive respect, Christian marriage calls us to focus our efforts on giving respect. We are called to honor someone even when we know only too well their deepest character flaws. We are called to stretch ourselves, to find out how we can learn to respect this person with whom we've become so familiar.
from Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
We are all coming to this challenge from different places in our marriages. Some of you have been in a rough spot lately and may find it hard to change habits. Some of your marriages are on a mountaintop and you will find choosing to honor your husband easy. Some of you are new to marriage and some of you have been married decades. Regardless of our circumstances, the best way to work this challenge is to begin your day in prayer for your husband and your marriage. If you are not familiar with
The Power of a Praying Wife I encourage you to buy it, check it out of the library or borrow it from a friend. It is a wonderful resource for lifting up our husbands in prayer. Otherwise, begin each day this next 30 days with this prayer or one of your own:
God of renewal, everywhere your Holy Spirit breathes new life into creation. As I undertake this day to bring glory to you by honoring my husband, I ask you to be present in my marriage. Guide me to know in which things I should ask forgiveness, in which things I should change, and in which things I should ask for the grace to let go. Show me new ways to respect my husband today and open my eyes to all that you have made him to be. I trust in your goodness and in the covenant my husband and I made with you and each other on our wedding day. Through Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.*
Throughout each day, put aside negative words and bring good to your husband by words and actions. Notice things he does for you and your family and show your appreciation. Compliment him. Speak well of him in public, both in his presence and when he is not with you. Give him the opportunity to be your hero and praise his masculinity. Tell your children (if you have them) how wonderful their daddy is. Accept his decisions with grace and really support them, even if you don't fully agree. If you have a disagreement, show respect by maintaining a pleasant tone of voice and eye contact. Serve him first at the dinner table. Don't be insincere, but surprise him by withholding a typical negative reaction in favor of a God-honoring one.
Choose a few small goals for yourself each week and make sure to post them. Write them on post-its and put them on your mirror, in your car and your purse, or anywhere else you'll see them. Keep a journal for the month about successes and struggles. What is hardest for you to do? What comes easily? How is your husband responding to your efforts?
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."My goals for this week are:
- Make an effort to greet him immediately when he comes home each day and not call out a quick "hi" from the couch, or the kitchen, or wherever else I am at the time.
- Always use a respectful and loving tone of voice.
- Think twice before I say what pops into my head. If I get annoyed about something wait a while before addressing it. Chances are it won't be as bothersome later.
So, who's with me?
*Adapted from a prayer by Jennifer Phillips
Pssst...I'm also over
here today...
posted by Christine at 4:00 PM |
Permalink
At 4:07 PM, Jthemilker
I'm definitely in on this challenge and looking forward to it.
At 4:55 PM, Kerry
This is something God has been laying on my heart for quite some time. I keep putting it off. Thank you for having this challenge....I really need it (as does my marriage!)
At 6:36 PM, Betty Jane
I am so in and excited for the accountability and women working towards the same goals of uplifting our husband.
At 6:55 PM, Sabrina
I'm in. This will be really good for our marriage. I have a 4 yo and a 4 month old and my poor husband has kind of gotten kicked to the curb. This should bring more of my focus back to him.
At 9:34 PM, Laura
Count me in! I'm excited to have this timed with Father's Day too. Will definitely send some post/link-love on my site too.
At 6:22 AM, In Light of the Truth...
Love your challenge! It's a great supplement to the challenge I've already been doing! Thanks so much for leading this!
At 6:52 AM, stephanie@{Olive Tree}
I'm in! We're about to celebrate 5 years in August and with three kids (3 1/2 and under) in 5 years of marriage ... I'm in need of a recharge and refocus on my marital priorities. :)
At 6:52 AM, Robin @ Heart of Wisdom
Well Christine when I was pondering this challenge I had a hard time. I concluded either I am a pretty great wife or I don't recognize my short comings. :) I haven't got up the nerve to ask hubby what area I need to improve in.
Kidding aside this is a super challenge. I'm looking forward to the results --the fruit-- spreading through the rest of the family. Thanks for the encouragement.
BTW, I started a new blog. Heartofwisdom.com/Blogginghelp
At 10:46 AM, TammieFay
I am soooo in on this one! I truly believe this was heaven-sent! Thank you!
At 11:15 AM, MorningSong
I am on board. I haven't posted about this but I do want to participate. Thanks for having this idea. I will be watching my tone and thinking before speaking too. I will also remain available for the Holy Spirit to guide me in any specific area that would mean the most. Thanks again.
At 11:15 AM, Lynn
Christine,
Thank you for offering this challenge. Any time we can focus on practicing Biblical teaching regarding marriage is a good thing.
Can't wait to read how God works in our marriages next week. Love and hugs, Lynn
At 1:40 PM, Munchkin Land
I will be posting my hopes and goals for this challenge tomorrow. Thanks for hosting this Christine, its a wonderful idea.
PS Are you going to create a button or something for the challenge? If not, I may create something for myself. =)
At 1:44 PM, Homemanager
This is such an important thing for us as Christian woman. Our marriages are supposed to reflect Christ and the church...I want my relationship with my husband to reflect the Lord.
Blessings,
Karen
At 4:14 PM, Christi
I'm so glad you're doing this - thanks for the encouragement!
At 5:37 PM, Allison
Thanks, Christine, for hosting this challenge. "As iron sharpens iron" you are helping all of us, your cyber-friends!
At 5:54 PM, Sandy
Great post, Christine!
It's a question I wake up with every day: how am I going to love, respect and treat my husband?
I've learned to take those words seriously over the years.
I also love Stormie's book and I've referred it to many women :)
Thank you, again!
Sandy
For Reluctant Entertainers
At 8:40 AM, Org Junkie
Thank you Christine. I've copied the prayer out and will refer to it daily. I love the button!
Laura
At 9:59 AM, mrs V
What a neat idea! I'm rather late getting in on it, but i'm going to do it for the rest of the time!
At 10:57 AM, Elizabeth
This is such a great idea and I am so in! I will post about it probably this evening (I'm at work now and would like the entry to be more heartfelt than what I can do at work!)
Thanks for doing this - and even if they don't know it I'm sure our husbands would thank you as well. :)
At 3:30 PM, Sarah
Count me in on this challenge, I can't wait to work on this!
Sarah
At 4:40 PM, Tiany
Thanks for the challenge I am in too! I have posted my first post!
At 5:47 PM, Amy
I'm going to join you. I created a special little blog for this--out of respect for my husband:)
At 7:44 AM, queenbusick
I started doing this on my blog 2 days ago and a friend referred me to your site - hmmm very interesting - I'm in!
At 7:56 AM, Jammy
Yes, I need to do this type of thing again. I need the encouragement and the focus! I'll blog on it later today!
Jenn
At 8:59 AM, Amy's Zoo
I hope you don't mind me joining in a couple of days late! What a wonderful challenge, thank you for it!
At 2:27 PM, shawn
So funny - I just posted a similar challenge on my blog before seeing this! Must be in the air!
At 5:32 PM, Lynn
Christine,
Can you send me the code for the button?
At 5:51 PM, Susanne
I'm behind on this challenge but would love to join in. I'll post when I can.
At 9:24 AM, Rebecca
I heard about this from another site I read ... it sounds like a great idea. I may be late, but I'll do the time. :)
Thanks for the idea!
At 12:26 PM, Andie
I have been thinking a lot about this lately...thank you for making it a challange and keeping us company as we try to honor our husbands!!
Blessings-Andie
At 2:29 PM, angeleyes Blue
Thinking I may have missed this boat again :( If there is still room COUNT ME IN! It sounds like fun :)
At 5:24 PM,
I've got the book...Power of a Praying Wife...and certainly need to read it AGAIN. I only have summertime off because I work at a school so now is a great time to challenge myself to honor my husband. When I have done this in the past I got caught up in my expectations of his response rather than how I could Glorify the Lord through honoring my husband. Please pray that I won't get caught up in those expectations again, but instead would joyfully receive whatever the Lord has in store for me because I chose to obey HIM! THANKS
At 11:45 PM, Daughter
LoL I know what you mean about the kids hanging on your legs...but God really challenged me in this area since it's been a huge part of my hubbys past and mine. It has been amazing since this challenge started! GOD and only him as blessed this area so much!! Lot's of great things coming out of it!
At 2:42 PM, joannmski
I have been meaning to tell you that your blog is so beautiful!
Not to be shallow, because so many people are talking about the husband and spiritual aspect, which of course is very important.
But I just love the colors and the blog!!! ;-)
At 11:18 PM,
Thank you for doing this! I think I'm in a pretty strong marriage, but there's always room for improvement. And I esp. want to honor my dh by complaining MUCH less about whatever...a fault of mine which really bothers him.
~Angela in Ohio
At 9:48 AM, Oney
Thanks for the challenge, Christine. I posted a blog entry featuring ways to show your husband respect. I can't take credit for it because it was part of the sermon on Father's Day Sunday. However, it was so good I actually took notes! LOL
Be blessed
~Oney from Tea at Three
At 12:34 PM, Melissa C
Thanks for the stirring to focus on this!
I love my dh dearly and work on this regularly, but it's always good to have extra accountability!
At 11:48 PM, eph2810
Christine - that is so awesome that that many women participate. I will be jumping in this up-coming week. Hope that is okay :)
At 8:40 PM,
What a challenging challenge! Yesterday, reading about the challenge and the goals so many of you have set has compelled me to pray for the women who have committed to honouring their husbands, and to set some goals of my own in this area. I'm joining you all late but my husband and family can only benefit from me being part of it and being under your prayers. Thanks so much for such a poignant reminder of what my responsibility as a wife is and calling me to commit to remembering that each day.
At 7:27 PM, Xandra
What a breath of fresh air in our self-centered society. I am so glad that I stumbled on your blog by way of TammieFay and Jennifer, and I am really looking forward to enriching my marriage through the Lord.
Being a little bit OCD, I'll probably wait until Monday to start the challenge so that I can name the blog "Marriage Monday"...isn't that sad? I do this with all things...have to start the diet, the quiet time, the exercising, etc on Monday.
Thanks again for the inspiration and challenge!
At 7:56 PM, the4ashes
This is a great opportunity. I am excited about the challenge. I have just been doing a "refresher course" with The Power of a Praying Wife. This is timely. Thanks to my friend Melanie for having the link on her blog.
At 3:51 PM, Nikki
Glad to have found this!!! Just printed it all off and ready to go!
At 1:41 AM, Paulette
Found this through Amy's site!
Glad I did too!!
Praise God we can do this together...yer....
At 2:06 PM,
What a blessing to see so many commited to honoring their husbands! I will lock arms with you all and Praise the Lord for the Man of God that he sent me!
At 3:46 PM, Thelma
I am in on this. I love my husband and we are walking through some trials right now and my husband needs encouragement and support so I think this would be perfect. I too am not going to tell him, just do it and see what happens. It will be good for the family all around. Great idea.
At 3:27 PM, jen
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
God Bless You : )
At 3:49 PM, Pam
I guess I am joining this a bit late, but it is important for me to do none the less. I love my husband but we have a 3 year old and a 3 month old...that has made it hard to make him my priority. Thanks for doing this....I want to show him how much I love, respect, and value him.
At 12:00 PM, Joyfull
This looks wonderful and I am eager to be a part of it. The goals for this week are exactly some of the areas I need some improvement in.
At 5:49 PM, Deborah
I'm happy to be a part of this challenge. I am a newlywed...October 3 will be our 7 month anniversary. This is wonderful!
At 3:16 AM,
Hi
what a great site. I have just recently reconciled with my husband. he had an affair and a child resulted from it. But you know it was the worst and best time of my life as I pressed into God so much. He is faithful and trustworthy. Im going to do this even though im crying right now but this is the right thing to do and I know God will honour my faith. God bless you for your site
At 10:45 PM, JJJose
I'm a little late, but just thought that I would read through your 30 days anyway. Looking forward to God's hand moving in my marriage.
At 11:17 AM, Shannon and Carey
How I got here I can't tell you. Bit I found you. I need this challenge. My husband deserves more than I give!
Thank you!
At 2:33 AM, Tina~ Mosaic..Pieces of My Life
I have been doing this challenge, question are we to post daily or just find ways to honor our precious husbands?? Are we to post daily on our blogs??Thanks Tina
At 3:13 PM, Catie Chopra
As a newly married wife, I'm still learning how to honor my husband as the God-given gift he is to me. I'm so thankful I have resources like this one to help! Thank you!!
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Jthemilker
Robin @ Heart of Wisdom
I'm definitely in on this challenge and looking forward to it.