A Gift For My Husband ♥

This week is my husband's birthday!  Yay!  I see it as an opportunity to buy this fabulous man a much needed, new robe!  Now, the robe I'm about to replace is an ancient, {I'm talking ooold} thread-bare, holey, frayed, almost transparent, falling apart, ready-for-the-rag-bag mess.  Yep, that's how I see it.

Of course, my husband thinks his robe is the coziest, softest, most comfy, closest thing to perfection our Lord's ever created.  Unfortunately, I really don't think it will last through another wash. {darn!}  

The other night I stopped myself from doing a happy dance when he held up his tattered, beloved robe and bemoaned that even he thinks it's time for the rag-bag.  {Oh yes, I'm doing a happy dance in my head!}

Well, after a lot of looking and praying, I finally found a robe I know he'll like!  It's the same color, same material and the same style as his old robe!  It's going to be so fun to see him tear through the wrapping paper and open the box!

Now, here's where my ADD mind made the jump to today's topic.  As I was thinking of how  super-pleased my guy's going to be when he's enveloped in this snazzy, perfect, like-old, new robe... my thoughts hopped to... what he'd really love is to be enveloped by the gift of your admiration!  {OK Lord, I hear you!}

Yes, I admit that lately I've caught myself saying things to my husband {for his own good, of course!} that could be construed as critical.  OK, I admit it; there's nothing construed about it!  I've been a little naggy lately... And I know better!  And I hate it! 

So, I'm definitely writing this to myself.  Yes, I've written about it before, but I obviously need to hear it again.   And perhaps you need to hear it too. :)

In Ephesians 5:33, we’re told to respect our husbands.  The Greek word for respect is phobeo.  It means… wait for it… to be in awe of, to revere. We’re supposed to put a high value on our men.  When was the last time you made your man feel you were in awe of him?!  {She asks herself!}

One way to place a high value on our men is
 to pursue them through admiration. 

Our men have a huge need to be admired.  

 They’ll probably never say, “Honey, I need your admiration.”   

But we may hear them say, “Stop being so critical.”  {Hhmm, Mary?}

 

If our guys feel unappreciated, we may find that they're

easily angered or they pull away and are emotionally removed.

They need to know that we're their 
biggest cheerleader  not their biggest critic.

 
Some things we can do:

1.  Pray and ask God to help you develop a deep reverence for your husband.  And then, as you revere him, ask our Abba Father to help you find ways to pursue him through admiration. 

2.  Sincerely compliment him in front of others: your children, his/your parents, friends, and other men.

3.   When he’s with a group of men at church, pass by and say, “Hi handsome”...  and keep on walking.  Trust me, the other men will wonder what your husband’s got that they don’t ‘got’!  And your man will stand a little straighter with a twinkle in his eye… for you!  {I talked about this in an earlier post, but I really think it bears repeating!}
 
4. Tell him you appreciate all his hard work.  When your man’s on the job, chances are good that he gets very little affirmation.  He’ll usually hear when he's done something wrong, but rarely when he’s done something right. {Just like at home?!}

5. If your husband’s out of work or refuses to work, think of a quality that he has that would be an asset in a career, and admire him for it.  {good with people, tactful, organizational skills etc.}

6.  Don't be critical!   Just. don't. do. it! {Mary, I'm talking to you!}

7. Tell him he’s handsome.  Not that he looks handsome in that shirt… That he’s handsome!  How it's said makes a difference!

8. When you walk by, feel his biceps.  Chances are good he’ll automatically flex.  

9. Tell him you appreciate the size and strength of his hands.

10. Tell him he’s a hunk.

11. Yes, compliment his mind, creativity, and intellect... But don't forget to admire his physical assets. :)  Really.

12.  Don't make a joke out of him.  You know what I mean.

13.  Don't contradict him in front of others. {including especially in front of your children} You don't like it, why would he?  Wait until you're alone to discuss 'it'.

If because of past hurts it’s difficult to show your husband admiration, or it’s difficult to think of any qualities to admire; start small.  Today, right now, think of one small thing that you like about your husband.  Do you like the color of his eyes?  Then start there.  Do you like his smile?  Then begin there.  Do you like the way he maneuvers the car in traffic?  There you go.  Really. Don’t move on until you’ve thought of something.  Now, ask God to soften your heart and to give you the courage to tell him. 

Life can get crazy busy.  Pursue him anyway.

Life can be frustrating and disappointing.  Pursue him 
through it.

The feeling of love may be withering.  Pursue him like crazy.

The children are wearing you out.  Pursue him in little ways.

Let your fountain be blessed,

 and rejoice with the wife of your youth. 

As a loving deer and a graceful doe, 

let her breasts satisfy you at all times;

and always be enraptured with her love.  

Proverbs 5:18,19

Let's be the kind of women that our husbands delight in.

Let's be the wives that enrapture them with our love!

What do you admire about your husband?
How do you show him admiration?
When was the last time you told him how much you appreciate him?
Are you having trouble thinking of anything to admire?  
Right now, think of just one small thing that you like about your husband. 
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Leave a comment!

Living in His grace,

  Mary  

I'd like to ask you for two quick favors.

1.  Please go to the block of Google Friends over in the right column and click Join this Site. This doesn't subscribe you or obligate you to anything. It's just a way to let me know that you visited Woman to Woman. If you're reading this by email, you'll need to click Here to sign in.

2.  Please click the Facebook Like button in the right column. (I love seeing your beautiful faces!)

Each woman who stops by(I'm talking about you!) is so precious to our Lord and to me. 
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments, emails, and FB messages. 
It's always so good to hear from you!