Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Over the next three weeks, I’ll share with you some suggestions for loving your husband. I’m not perfect at this. Matter of fact, I’m writing it as a reminder to myself: These are things I need to put into practice, or continue practicing, in my marriage.
In her book “What Men Need Most,” Shaunti Feldhan states “The most important aspect of demonstrating respect: It is a choice. A choice we make out of reverence for God and love for our husbands. Just as men can choose to demonstrate love toward us even if they don’t feel it at the moment, so we can and should demonstrate respect toward them.” Choose to respect your husband. Hold him in high esteem. Respect his leadership in your family (1 Cor. 11:3). Respect his provision for your family. Decrease the complaints and increase the compliments. Show respect to him with your body language and actions. Do you roll your eyes when he makes a comment? Do you slam a door or throw things when you’re angry (yes, I have). Let’s stop. Let’s show more respect to our husbands.
In my opinion, this shows the highest respect. When someone looks you in the eye, and focuses on you while you are talking, you know they care. Take time to listen to your husband. Listen with your ears, your eyes and your body language. Show him you care.
Give your husband some encouragement. Be his biggest cheerleader. He works hard. Give him a standing ovation when he comes home from work. Tell him what a great job he does with repairs around the house. If the yard looks great after he mows and trims it, let him know. Acknowledge his job well done. When you admire what he’s done or how he’s handled a situation, be sure you tell him. These words will go a long way to lift your husband’s spirits: “Honey, you handled that so well!”
Join me next week, I’ll be sharing 5 additional ways to love your husband – this Valentine’s Day and always!
Until next week,
Linking up today with these lovely writers:
Barbie at The Weekend Brew
Kelly at Purposeful Faith
Holly at Testimony Tuesday
Janis at Sunday Stillness
Holly at Coffee for Your Heart
Brittany at Fellowship Friday
Grace and Truth Christian Link Up
Jennifer Dukes Lee @ #TellHisStory
Suzie Eller @ #LiveFreeThursday
Great post. I need to work on encouraging my husband more! Thanks for sharing at The Weekend Brew, and I look forward to reading more.
Thanks for stopping by, Barbie!
The giving of hugs is my favorite! Looking forward to your series as I love tips on how to love my husband well. Blessings.
Doesn’t a good hug go such a long way? We’re trying to teach our grandkids to give tight-tight hugs also. They don’t quite grasp it yet! Thanks for stopping vy, Beth!
Hi there, Ellen! This is good advice that I can put into practice. I really want to work on showing more respect to my husband and also encouraging him. I look forward to the rest of your posts. We wives need posts like this! 🙂
Hey Betsy! Thanks for stopping by!
The Lord blessedly gave my husband to me, and he is what I count on, day-by-day, and He is what I worship and appreciate for moment-by-moment. I’m blessed… and I bless both of them ASAP. Thanks for sharing.
Amen, Joanne! The Lord gave me this wonderful husband, I need to be mindful about loving him and encouraging him! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hi Ellen! I love the start of your list here! 🙂 I am encouraged to read that you (and others) are working so hard to show love to your husband – it really seems to make a difference to our men, doesn’t it? Thanks for linking up with us at Grace & Truth! Blessings!
Enjoyed linking up with all of you Rebekah! And yes, even the smallest encouragement makes a difference to our guys! Thanks so much for stopping by my little ordinary corner of the world
Lovely list and good reminders, Ellen. T
Thank you Kristi! Thanks for stopping in! More reminders for us next week! And a funny story!
These are each such powerful and helpful tips/reminders! Thanks so much! Great post!
So glad you stopped by Karrilee! I so enjoy your blog!
Hi Ellen,
Respect by listening (as you mentioned) is one I’ve learned is key…Thanks for sharing these tips 🙂 Oh, and I love to hug my hubby 🙂
Hey Dolly! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs ARE great medicine, aren’t they? Thank you for visiting! Blessings to you today!
Great list! Will be checking back for your other posts. So much here I need to do better. Too often get caught up feeling resentful when I don’t get these things reciprocated to me, but that’s not my job. I need to treat everyone in my house with kind of love and respect always.
ohhh, me too Kathryn! Praying for you (and myself!) that we will be strong in the Lord and not get pulled into the resentment trap! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing these very practical ways to show our love! And thanks for visiting my blog from the Weekend Brew – I appreciate your kind comments.
Hey Kym! Thanks so much for stopping by my little ordinary corner of the web!
Thanks for these reminders on how to love our husbands well! Linking up after you at Tell His Story, and glad I came by your blog … my first time here.
Hi Cherry! So glad you stopped by to visit my little ordinary corner! You have a beautiful blog home over at Pursuing Heart!
Very timely! Valentines Day seems to be a me-me-me holiday lately. I think your words remind us that God always wants us to have a you-you-you or a You-You-You mindset. This is all for His glory, His plan, His purpose…what a honor to serve the Lord and our husbands 🙂
Oh I love the You-You_You mindset. Yes! All for His glory, because marriage is sacred! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great reminders! And I have been praying a new prayer for my hubby…how I can very specifically respect him and God lead me to ask him, just like last month when I asked for 5 top ways I can pray for my his unique needs and he sent 7. And I am blogging about this journey thru the year of becoming a helpmate specifically suited to MY man. So great to be in the company of other women purposing to do their very best for God and husband. Thanks.
Sheila, what a great blogging journey! Thanks for stopping by, I pray the Lord would lead you to become the best helpmate for your sweet guy!
What a beautiful idea 🙂 I’m coming back next week for the next 5 ways to love my husband 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
So glad to have you here in my little corner of ordinary, Sarah! More tips next week, AND a funny story…well, it’s funny now, not so much way back when!
Loved this, Ellen. Respect – oh yes, we often forget how vital that is to our guy’s souls. And hugs – well that’s just a double bonus. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing the practical and important reminders. Looking forward to reading more. Just swinging by from Holley’s.
Hey Tiffany, so glad you stopped by! A hug really does carry so much weight, doesn’t it?
Hi sweet Ellen thank you for these beautiful reminders – marriage is so special & deserves our best. Hope you are doing well! Have a great day. #livefree Kim Stewart
Sweet, sweet Kim! I saw your pretty face on #livefreethursday! Thanks so much for stopping by! It was good to “see” you!
How do you respect a verbally and emotionally abusive husband ?
He never owns his behaviors tells me I need to get rid of the emotion
He rationalizes, justifies,blames me, twists my words or actual happenings in our “conversations”
Claims to be a Christian…however not evident in life….
He’s always “right” knows all….so he portrays
We’ve been married 40+ yrs. I have left for periods of time! we’ve been
To several counselors. Change only happens for a bit and back into his
Contolling ,verbal abuseful behavior, which he denies……
We have 3 grown + married daughters , great christian husbands, 8 grandchildren……blessed in so many ways …..but I don’t want to live like this ……..
Help
Abba Father, You see Sandy today. You see her pain, discouragement, her troubles. Lord, I pray that You would strengthen her in the power of Your might. God, You can do more than any of us can ask or imagine: in our husbands, in our marriages, in our hearts. I pray that You would work in the lives of Sandy and her husband, bring them peace. Father, we know our help comes from You. I pray that You would help Sandy today. Comfort her. In the powerful name of Jesus, name above all names, Amen.
I loved the reminder that they give us love – even when it’s not a natural thing for them to do at that moment. That’s a deep thought for me to ponder today friend. Thank you! I can’t wait to read the rest! Your man is lucky to have you! Love you friend!
MelMel! I’m so glad you stopped by! Tomorrow will be some more tips, and a funny story! Stop back by! Love you my friend!
You are an answer to prayer! I look forward to your future encouragements.
Thank you Tracy! Thanks so much for stopping by my little ordinary corner of the web. You comment encourages me!
Ellen,
Thank you for this. I will choose to lift up my husband. More hugs. More encouragement and more respect. I needed to be reminded of this. Much love to you Ellen from Kelly at the #RaRalinkup! XOXO
Kelly, so thankful for all the encouragers at your #RaRalinkup! You are all awesome! Thank you!
These are great tips, Ellen. It’s often the little things that reveal I’m disrespecting my husband (especially rolling the eyes–I’ve caught myself doing that a few times lately–sadly). Looking forward to the rest of this series!
Thank you Sabra! Yes, those little things tend to creek up on us! I have to be aware of my body language so I don’t disrespect him in that way! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
These I can do! Thanks, Ellen. <3
Hey sweet Suzie! Thanks so much for stopping by my little ordinary corner of the web! Hoping I will get to see you at She Speaks this year and give you a big hug!