Do you ever feel like your marriage is in a rut? Or maybe things have been tough lately and you and your husband are struggling to keep communication open and resentment at bay. Maybe you wish things weren’t always so hard.

Well, you can’t change your husband – only God can do that – but you certainly can work on yourself and in turn maybe he’ll take notice of your efforts and return the favor!

I wrote this series on “The Heart of Her Husband” a few years ago, but the advice still stands!

“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her…” Proverbs 31:11

1. Do you respect your husband?
2. Do you pray for your husband?
3. Are you a home maker?
4. Can your husband trust you?
5. Are you thankful?
6. Do you go out of your way to be thoughtful to your husband?
7. Do you have a habit of nagging your husband?
8. Express your love… with love notes.
9. Do you manipulate your husband?
10. Do you expect your husband to be perfect?
11. Men are basically easy to please…
12. What do you cook for your husband?
13. You love your husband when you love your kids.
14. Are you a helpmeet?

“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” Proverbs 31:11

Today’s Valentine’s Day… I thought it would be fun to focus on different aspects of the marriage relationship or rather, how you and I can be better wives! Proverbs 31 tells us that the heart of the virtuous woman’s husband could safely trust in her. Does your husband trust you or does his hear lie in fear of what is coming?

You can read the rest of this series here.

Are you a helpmeet?

The Bible says, “The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18. (NIV) Have you been a helper suitable to your husband or have you been like the foolish woman and torn apart your home and marriage with your own hands?

Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13. (NLT) We could say it this way, “There is no greater love than for a wife to die to herself daily in order to serve her husband as well as Christ with a pure heart.” It is our selfish desires our yearning to be #1 that causes us to say and do things that destroy rather than uplift. In the book, The Excellent Wife, by Martha Peace she says:

Eighteen Ways a Wife May be the Glory of Her Husband

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, hobbies, etc.
7. Willingly and cheerfully rearrange your schedule for him when necessary.
8. Talk about him in a positive light to and around 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 run errands for him, organize your day to be available to help him with projects, pray for him and make good suggestions. Give him freedom to not use your suggestion, and do not be offended when he does not follow it.
10. Consider his work (job, hobbies, goals, 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 to get up early in the mornings to help him get off to work having had a good breakfast, take care in recording phone 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.
14. Do and say things to him that build him up instead of tear him down.
15. Dress and apply your make-up in an attractive manner that is pleasing to YOUR husband.
16. When your husband sins, reprove him gently and privately, always giving him hope and pointing him to the Lord.
17. Encuorage him to use his spiritual gifts in ministry.
Realize that just as God is glorified when man obeys Him, your husband is glorified when you obey your husband.

It wouldn’t hurt for you and I to post these ideas on a card in our Bible or in our Prayer and Devotion basket… or even on the refrigerator door! Let’s make this year the best year ever when it comes to loving our husbands!

“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” Proverbs 31:11

With Valentine’s Day approaching in just a few days… I thought it would be fun to focus on different aspects of the marriage relationship or rather, how you and I can be better wives! Proverbs 31 tells us that the heart of the virtuous woman’s husband could safely trust in her. Does your husband trust you or does his hear lie in fear of what is coming?

You can read the rest of this series here.

You love your husband when you love your kids.

Are you tired and anxious, annoyed and irritated on a regular basis with your kids? Do you find yourself being short or yelling at them… all day long? Do you long for time away from your family?

I want to encourage you to take a step and back and think about your children. Really think about them. Not as little monsters who came into this world to ruin your life, but as precious gifts from God.

Nothing will teach us more about patience than motherhood. God has a plan for you and for each of your children. It is up to you and only you whether this season of motherhood brings you joy and peace and patience.

Delight in your children. Spend time with them – just being with them, talking to them, getting to know them. If you are bothered every time your child interrupts your activities or wants your attention, the irritation does not come from God but from the one who seeks to destroy. Stop what you are doing and really pay attention to your children – before it is too late! They grow up so fast and the moments you have right now will be gone forever ten minutes from now.

It’s okay to have quiet time or “me time” every now and then, but during this season of your life, God has given you the awesome responsibility of raising your children for His kingdom. The best way you can do that is to show your children by your example what it means to live for Him and then spend quality time every day training them, teaching them His ways.

Finally, show your children what a wonderful father they have. Instead of rolling your eyes when he makes a request or snapping back at him when he asks a question, love him and teach your children to love him. Make daddy the hero of your home. Don’t waste this time that God has given you. Life is too short to not enjoy the blessings around us.