Simply Thursday

It's the small victories.  Like cleaning off your fridge and saving your children's plants from the cats.

February Marriage Goal, Day 11

A Woman Who Fears the Lord #19

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

A Study of Proverbs 31

Verse 28

"Her children arise and call her blessed; 
her husband also, and he praises her."



How wonderful for our friend Mrs. Proverbs!  Her children and husband wake up in the morning and tell her just how wonderfully awesome she is and how lucky they are to have her in their life.

After reading this verse, I felt jealous.

My children do not wake up in the morning and begin complimenting me and thanking me for everything I do.  There can be long periods of time, when everything goes completely unnoticed.

My husband?  He's not a verbal kind of guy.  In fact, when he does say something kind about me or something I have done, it's because I asked his opinion.

(I am a person whose receptive love language is words of affirmation and I married a non-affirming kind of guy.)



Let's take what I know about love languages and translate this verse.



My children get up in the morning and hug me.  They enjoy spending time with me, are helpful and they value my guidance... most of the time.  Both boys compliment me and thank me throughout the day.  My husband doesn't complain about dirty dishes, unmade beds, and failed recipes; his spirit is one of gratitude.  He shows his love and appreciation for me by working hard, sharing goals, wanting to spend time with me and respecting my opinion.

They would have never put this verse into the thirty-first chapter of Proverbs.  It is way too long.









I'm no longer feeling jealous of our friend, Mrs. Proverbs.



In what way does your family call you blessed?  How does your husband praise you?
If you are feeling discouraged in this area, pray that God will open your eyes to be able to see your family's love language.

You can read more about Love Languages at
http://www.5lovelanguages.com/.

February Marriage Goal, Day 10

It was a super quite morning today because we had guests who spent the night.

Overnight Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast

Here's a simple, delicious and healthy recipe for a breakfast that you can grab and go!

Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast

1/4 cup of rolled oats

1/3 cup of milk

1/4 cup of yogurt

1 1/2 teaspoons of chia seeds

2 teaspoons of honey or sugar

1/3 cup of blueberries

Place the first 5 ingredients into a  jar, screw the lid on and shake to mix.

Remove lid, add blueberries and stir with a spoon to combine.

Place in the refrigerator overnight and enjoy!

(This stays fresh up to four days.)

I modified the recipe based on the ingredients I had available.  You can find the original recipe and many more yummy versions at The Yummy Life.

February Marriage Goal, Day 9

Tuesdays are days when my husband doesn't have to be in to work quite so early.  This time the kids were up before us!

Showing Love in Marriage, A Call to Serve

I was asked why I want to get up with my husband before he goes to work.  It was a question laced with ridicule and a hint of "Are you crazy?" Now, I'm not sure if the person who asked me really felt that way, or if it was just how I filtered the question.  I have a filter that was created from our first 9 years of marriage and it's hard to change the way I see things.

 Until three and half years ago, my marriage was about survival.  How do we make it through another day without leaving each other or killing each other.

Yet, God has healed our marriage.

It's not perfect, but the love we had for each other 13 years ago continues to grow and strengthen us.  I am so blessed to even be writing this.  I am blessed to be loved by a man who is committed to me, takes care of me, lightens my load, gives me stuff to laugh at, shares in parenting our two boys and loves to spend time with me.

How can I show him love?  How can I strengthen a marriage that is already great?

I can serve him.


Some of you may be laughing at me.  Maybe you're calling my therapist because you think I have officially lost my mind.  Serving others is not what our culture teaches.  You take care of you first and then you take care of others.  It's similar to putting your air mask on first before helping your child get theirs on when your plane starts to go down.


There is truth in that.  If I am drained, physically or mentally, I am not a whole lot of good to anyone.

I need my sleep and I don't need to get up crazy early.  I have stuff to do but only when it's light out.

Still, there has to be balance.

If I constantly look out for me, I miss giving my husband opportunities to lead, to help me, to grow in the role of a husband.

If I don't look for ways to be submissive, to help my husband, and to grow in my role as a wife, I miss out on God's plan for me... for us.

The next time I am asked why I am getting up with my husband, my answer will be "It's something I do to serve my husband."

If asked to explain further, I'll say,

 "It's something I can do to put his wants and needs before my own."

or

"It's something I can do and even more, it's something I WANT to do."


"You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

Galatians 5:13