Word - Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

14 Ways to Love Your Husband – Part 1

January 31, 2015 by Ellen 44 Comments

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

Soul Food

January 22, 2015 by Ellen 43 Comments

“So you’ve never had a ‘proper job’?” she asked in her clipped British accent.

Our tour guide guffawed.

“Proper job? Proper job,” he mimicked. “Lady, this IS my ‘proper job’!”

His wind burned, sun wrinkled skin testified to the fact that he had been giving Colorado River tours for well over 20 years.

Most of the tourists on the boat snickered at his response to the Englishwoman. However, it filled me with longing…

To float slowly down the peaceful Colorado River, day in and day out, pointing out spectacular sights from nature, breathing in clean, fresh air. Every day seeing with fresh eyes something spectacular from God’s creation – THAT is the life! And he got paid for it! No worries, no hurries.

In today’s world, it’s all about productivity. Multi-tasking. Squeezing chores and to-do’s out of every second in the day. No wonder I’m frazzled by the end of the week. My body is tired, my mind is empty and my soul needs a retreat. A soul care retreat. A soul feeding with soul food.

And, what really, really feeds my soul is being outdoors, enjoying God’s creation. Whether it’s a slow meandering walk through nature, floating down the Colorado River or sitting outside soaking up the sun during lunch, I am revived and rejuvenated. My soul rejoices.

I wish that it was something more noble than this. A dear friend of mine says that volunteering at our local crisis pregnancy center “fills her cup.” I wish that I could say the same about feeding the hungry or helping others less fortunate. But my introverted personality craves alone time. Often, during busy, non-stop times of serving and doing, I find myself longing for the quietness of a cabin in the mountains, the beauty of a snowfall.

Rather than wish for something more noble to feed my soul, I am going to celebrate the way God created me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. If that means being in nature and rejoicing in God’s creation feeds my soul, then that’s what I need to do. After all, I was knit together in my mothers’ womb by the Creator of the sun and skies and stars. Ultimately…

What do you love to do that feeds your soul?

Lord God, You designed each of us as unique individuals. You are intimately acquainted with all our ways, introverts and extroverts alike. We give thanks to you, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image. Amen

Until next week,

Linking up today with Bonnie Gray at Faith Barista: