Last Sunday, I heard David Platt preach at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham. God used his sermon to remind me / convict me / encourage me to serve where I am - in my house. Despite the fact that I continually "give God good ideas" about where He could use me, God continually reminds me - I live here. In this house, with this family and THIS husband.
Beth Jones has encouraged me before, "Bloom where you are planted." Specifically, God is convicting me to be more intentional about Adam as my most important ministry - to sow seeds in the heart of my husband.
When I returned home Sunday night, I asked Adam how I could love him better. I was not surprised at his response, "More encouragement." Monday morning, I asked God to help me encourage Adam. And I did encourage him, intentionally. For. One. Day.
This morning, on the way to church, God nudged me again. "How's that encouragement working out for you?" Not very well, obviously. I had un-intentionally given up after one day.
So God, this morning, encouraged me to start again… only this time there are 2 differences. The first difference between last Sunday and today is that the 40 days of Lent have started between then and now. The second is that God is not only asking me on this journey with Him, but He is also asking me to invite you all along on it.
I am not sure of the exact place God is leading me in this, but I AM sure that my God-given, short-term objective is this: The first two commandments...
1. "Seek Me first" and "Love Me with all your heart."
2. Love your husband as you love yourself.
This blog is more about the comments section than the posts (of which, there will be few). My prayer for this space is simply that it serves as a reminder to love our husbands well… that it is a place where we can encourage one another as we seek to encourage them. Please use the comments however you see fit - record your thoughts, list your challenges, ask for prayer, or pray for the group of wives here within. Whatever!
I know one reason God asked me to invite a group - any who want to follow - is because there are probably other husbands out there needing encouragement. And I am sure the other reason that God moved me to seek fellow sojourners is simply this - I will fail, if I go it alone. It didn't take the space of last week for me to learn that about myself. I am the queen of giving up on "projects." Starting and never finishing. Those who know me well, know this all too well about me.
Hopefully though, a few of you will come along for the ride. We are meant for community, as Carter has been preaching in Ephesians, and I cannot do this alone. By supporting each other, through the power of the Spirit, AND WITH A DEFINITE END IN SIGHT… hopefully this Lent will be life-changing for us, and life-giving to our husbands.
Yes, we are 5 days into Lent. But there are 6 perfectly good full weeks left. That's many more days that we have to walk the road to the Cross. To follow Jesus there. And to encourage our husbands along the way. If this is a journey you want to take, please view this as "our" blog spot to walk together.
THE CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK - Encourage your husband every day with written or spoken words. Send a text, write an email, leave a message, give a card… to your husband... every day. If you decide to walk this journey with me, with us, please leave a comment today so we can all know who to pray for in the group.
I have no idea where Jesus will take me - or us - but I am following.
Thanks, Allison. This will be a great reminder for me to encourage Tim EACH and EVERY day. I often overlook his needs as I carry on with home school, the house, all the boys' needs, etc. I don't want to be looking at a stranger when my kids are all out of the house, so being intentional and proactive in my relationship with Tim should always be my top priority after my relationship with the Lord. Even after 20 years of marriage, I still fail miserably at times.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I have been looking for these last few weeks. Asking the question, what can I give up for lent? Nothing has felt worthy enough or sacrificial enough this year. I love the idea of loving more and hope to encourage in a powerful way. Thank you for instigating this idea and inviting my heart to action. I accept and hope I can not only encourage Todd, but you right back! Libby
ReplyDeleteAllison, I love this idea. My husband is often on the back burner as we spend our time and energy investing and some days just surviving the chaos of raising three children. My husband and I have been together 17 years now (high school sweethearts who dated for 6 years and have been married for 11). We are great friends and partners and have a great marriage, but we often in the mundaneness of life forget to serve each other well. Thank you for the reminder to encourage and love well one of the most important people in my life. Thank you also for the invitation to join you in this journey! To Him be the glory....
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Thanks Allison. I definitely need these reminders. My mom always says, "we may not be much, but we are all we think about." And then we always laugh because it is so true. I am too tired most days to think of his needs and how to show more love. One thing that has helped me is to set reminders on my phone. That may sound awful to some of you, but maybe set for 5PM and have it say, "give one word of affirmation to your husband". Seriously. I am adding that one to my phone now. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I could definitely use some encouragement to be more encouraging. (-: Thank you for including me. Words of affirmation are my husband's love language and I need to do it so much more often than I do. Good call on the phone reminders, Margie! Carole
ReplyDeletePerfect. Steven has been so good to me lately & I'd love to be able to encourage him more. Thanks for doing this.
ReplyDeleteI am so encouraged by all of your comments… and to have this place where we can all connect. I probably will only "post" once or twice a week, but want to keep up the conversation in the comments. I typed Adam a quick letter yesterday of the "basics." I admire you; I respect you; I believe in you. I thanked him for setting aside time for our kids and affirmed how much they love him also. What strikes me is how the simplest and fewest sentiments can leave a huge impact. He never tires of hearing "the same old things :)" It's especially weird for me that these words are so powerful to him, because affirmation is NOT my love language.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, today I have already texted him a longer text… it was in reply to something he heard God saying in his quiet time to him this morning. I tried to echo God's validation of him by affirming my same belief and encouraging him through a couple of scriptures God was putting on my heart. I told him I was drawn to him for going to God this morning.
Last night, I bought three cheap cards at the grocery that I will hopeful write today - as he will be out of town this week. I will sneak them into his suitcase at some point in the morning. I am telling you all this to hold myself accountable - and so I will press on and not give up!
Thanks again so much girls - I need your accountability, and again, am so encouraged by your hearts here.
Oh, and I almost forgot, I prayed for ALL of you in my quiet time this morning. Please, please know that I will be praying for us! Praying for each of you by name! Much love, Allison
ReplyDeleteI am excited to be a part. I really struggle with affirming the good in Jim. Praying that this time will help us all get in a habit of speaking life.
ReplyDeleteI'm in! Thanks for organizing this and for including me. I know I need to offer more encouragement than I do so this will help me to be more intentional. Our sermon this morning was about how God doesn't desire His word to lie dormant so this will help to assure that doesn't happen, to build up, and to plant seeds of love and encouragement. The cool thing is I am sure the words won't lie dormant either--they will bloom big time and we will both benefit! I sent a simple text this morning and --wow--what a great way to start the day! Can't wait to see all that God can do on this journey!
ReplyDeleteThis is so wonderful and in perfect timing. With this transition of our move, I forget the bulk of the stress will fall to John as he is the one shouldering the bulk financial burden and making sure we settle in to a good place. His love language is affirmation as well (and isn't mine) so I am not great about giving him those needed words. I immediately sent him a text once I read this and was able to see him shortly after...his expression and words of thank were further proof that this is a great way for me to love him. I realize I am in constant prayer for his heart to find God but don't do a great job of outward love and appreciation too. Thankful for you friend!
ReplyDeleteI'm in! This has been on my heart lately too and I'm the worst at it... this is not my love language, but it is one of Bobby's. Just sent him a text! Praying that I will speak life!
ReplyDeleteall I did was give a card with a short but sweet sentiment and some peanut m & m's. Mac talked about it all night! Wow, this journey has great potential! Thanks again for getting me involved!
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