Monday 3-2-1: Building up your Marriage

“A wise woman builds her house, while a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.” (Proverbs 14:1)

As I’ve been thinking through the month of February, I’ve been praying that the Lord would give me more of this vision as I start my days…

“God, help me to do the most good for those around me today. Help me wake up today and see all the interruptions as opportunities… May my life make a difference in the lives of those around me.”

So what does this look like in relation to our marriages? What does it look like to be the wise woman mentioned in Proverbs who builds up her home and those in it? What does it look like to wake up every morning with the mentality of serving those in your sphere of influence?

3 Tips (for building up your marriage)

1. Commit to praying for your spouse every day for the next month.

We all know we should be doing this. But if i’m honest, sometimes other needs seem more “urgent” and before I know it, a few days have passed since I’ve spent time praying for him. I love this 31 day challenge by Revive our Hearts to help get back into the habit of praying daily for my spouse.  Print it off, place it in a spot you’ll see it every day, and enter a reminder on your phone. Once you’ve finished the 31 days? Just start over!

https://www.reviveourhearts.com/articles/31-days-of-praying-for-your-husband/

2. Grab some friends and start the 30 day husband encouragement challenge.

Another 30 day challenge? Stay with me here. This challenge is going to take you beyond prayer to practical ways you can build up your marriage. 

“For the next thirty days, don’t say anything negative about your husband—to him or to anyone else about him. Each day, for the next thirty days, tell your husband something you admire or appreciate about him—and say it to someone else about him!”

https://www.reviveourhearts.com/articles/30-day-husband-encouragement-challenge

3. Look at your calendar, your to-do lists, your priorities, and ask yourself the question “Am I reserving the best of my physical and emotional energy for my husband?”

Maybe this means taking some things off your calendar. Maybe this means not getting everything done on your to-do list today. Maybe it DOES mean getting your checklist list done during the day so that you aren’t distracted and overwhelmed in the evenings when you actually have time with your husband. 

2 Things I’m Loving

1. The MamaBearApologetics Podcast. This one is new to me, and if I’m honest a little out of my comfort zone! It’s an area I definitely need to grow in, so I’ll be sticking around to check more episodes. Also this episode from the Lazy Genius Podcast. I’m totally trying a few of her tips and tricks on cleaning this month (including putting socks on my kids hands and having them help me dust and cleaning my bathrooms in her recommended order.) 
2. This chicken alfredo spaghetti squash recipe. Why have I never tried this sooner?? I doubled the sauce, made my kiddos a box of noodles (because some are more willing to try the spaghetti squash than others) and paired it with garlic bread. This will definitely be on my meal repeats during the month.

1 Quick Thought

Try the  “Five Dollar, No Hollar Date Night”

(Taken from “Make Their Day” by Karen Ehman)

The premise is pretty simple. Spending only $5, purchase a drink from a local eatery (think large milkshake with two straws, a buy one get one free drink, or share a large coffee from your favorite coffee shop.) Then spend time asking each other these questions.

What was the high point of your week?

What was the low point of your week?

What is one thing you’d like to do around the house this next month?

What is one place you would like to go with me in the next month or so?

What is one task I could help you tackle in the next week or so?

What is your greatest prayer request at work right now?

What is your greatest prayer request regarding our family right now?