The ABC's of Marriage

Hey guys...I know it has been far too long since I have posted anything.  It seems that the months just got away from me with the holidays, birthdays, our Anniversary etc...I keep telling myself that I need to blog more regularly, but honestly it's hard to find the time without taking time from things that really need my attention.  Having said that, I really hope this year to be able to spend more time writing and posting...I have a million things in my head...and they are all things I'd like to share with you.

One of the things I've really been thinking about is marriage.  For no particular reason I suppose but yet for a dozen all at the same time.  Marriage isn't easy...it actually takes a lot of work.  But it is definitely worth all the work when you reap the benefits of a healthy marriage...one in which both spouses give and take and both serve each other.  I thought it would be fun and helpful to go through the alphabet one day at a time and give some thought relevant to that particular letter.  I want to add that I don't think I have it all together or that I somehow do these things all the time (like I wish I did)...I'm writing them as a reminder to myself at the same time.  All of us ladies need to be reminded of how to love and respect our husbands.  It won't always come natural...it takes work and initiative on our parts.  Granted my husband is a doll and he is easy to love but it still takes work...human nature is to forget, but we need to train ourselves to remember.

A is for ANTICIPATE

I thought a good way to start this whole thing off is to give something really easy and at the same time so helpful to our marriage.  ANTICIPATE when your husband comes home for the day.  If us ladies have plans (maybe shopping, crafting, parties etc...) we look forward to it and we plan around it.  When the person "we just couldn't wait to marry" comes home we should do the same thing.  If you know your husband is coming home at a certain time...get things ready for it.  It will do wonders for your spouse if when he opens the door to home he sees the ones he's been working for all day excited to see him.  Chances are he's tired and some days really beaten down from work.  It's not easy to do the same thing day after day, putting up with tough bosses, long hours and a lot of times inadequate pay for how hard they work.  Home should be the one place he is always the hero and the one place where he knows his company is desired and needed.  It will make him feel like a million bucks to see his loved ones waiting for him.  I did some research and found some really good ideas to help us ANTICIPATE our husbands homecoming.  I found these really helpful for myself and I hope you will too!

1)  Ask your husband to give you a heads up when he's on his way home (I'll be home in 15 min).

2)  Tidy up the house.  Your husband shouldn't have to come home to a messy house and kick his way through toys and clothes.  Have some large baskets ready and when it's almost time for Dad to be home give a shout out to the kids,"Dad's almost home!"  That's their cue to grab up whatever is laying around and toss it into a basket.  Don't worry if it isn't all organized...you can do it later.  Dad will appreciate not tripping and slipping in the door.  After a while the kids will think it's a game and probably will even enjoy doing it.

3)  Tidy up the kids.  Chances are that after a hard day your husband doesn't want to come home and get jelly all over his face when he kisses the kids.  Have all the kids wash their hands and faces in readiness for Dad's arrival.  Change any soiled shirts and give a quick comb through their hair.  We do these things for school, church and company...why not do it for the most important person in our life?

4)  Tidy up yourself.  Are you still wearing sweats with your hair falling all over the place?  Go put on a decent outfit (I didn't say your Sunday best) fix your hair, make-up and give yourself a spray of perfume.  Not only will your husband enjoy seeing you fixed up but I find it always makes me feel better about myself as well. 

5)  Lastly...have all the kids ready to shower Dad with love, kisses and "Daddy, you're home!!!"
You too Mom...give your husband a kiss, tell him you love him and appreciate how hard he's been working all day.  Make him feel like the day just got better because he came home.

I know it seems like a lot to do...but that my friend is life.  All great things take work and sacrifice.  Doing things like this in marriage will not only benefit your husband but you as well.  When we respect our husbands their biblical command to "love their wives" just got easier.   Here's a news flash...when we got married we signed up for a life of service (not being a slave...I didn't say that).  Life isn't all about us.  You will find that all successful marriages are those in which both spouses serve each other...and in serving each other...both are extremely fulfilled.  God's way's always work!