Tuesday, January 31, 2012

February's 30 day challenge

My next two 30 day challenges are 1. to withhold criticism from my hubby, and I am adding to this to give daily encouragement and 2. to read leisurely for at least 15 minutes.

I would actually like to poll anyone who might read this for suggestions for both of these challenges. Tell me to eat salad all day, I got it. Tell me to not be critical but encourage my hubby, I'm stuck. I.am.a.wretch.
YES, and a TROPHY OF GOD'S MERCY!!! That I am. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for even a sinner like me.

Can you help me?
I'm looking for creative ways to encourage my hubby, scriptures that may spur me on in this feat or anything else you think may help me with this challenge.

I'm also taking book recommendations. Admittedly, I don't really read for pleasure. It's one of those things that doesn't compute for me. I read for information or inspiration, but not just for pleasure. I know. I need to get a life. SO, I need help with this as well. For those who do this well, will you help a girl out? Suggest some titles. Much thanks. ;)

8 comments:

Zoanna said...

What a great challenge, in more than one sense of the word "great"! Admirable and humongous. I am not the best role model at this; it's easier to encourage people outside these walls. But I will give a small list based on what I've heard most husbands appreciate in terms of being encouraged. 1) Listen, don't talk so much. Ask them about work and tune in, not out, no matter how hard it is. 2) Bathe or shower before bed for amorous reasons. 3) Don't dump the day's troubles on him until after a good meal. 4) Cook what he likes more often than what YOU like. IE don't try to convert him with every meal, but love him HIS way. For my hubby, that means not as many tomato-sauce meals that give him indigestion. 5) Rub his back, neck, shoulders, etc. 6) Thank him for going to work and being a good provider. 7) Don't ask for things the day before payday. 8) Make the house look and smell good. 9) Dress the way you know he likes more often, and greet him at the door that way. 10) Don't complain. It really, really, really wears a person out to listen to if it's habitual.

As for reading, don't beat yourself up about your topics. What is your purpose for wanting to read other than for info or inspiration? If you really want to, great, but I sense that it's more of a got-to with you? I could be wrong. Non-fiction is my preferred genre as well. But if you want a book (and I think you might be able to relate) I have just finished The Water Giver, which I reviewed a few days ago on my blog.
Sorry for the long comment.

Zoanna said...

OH, and PS. Laugh at his jokes. Funny or not .They love to think they're funny (and usually they are). Tee hee.

sentz said...

This was a great reminder to me and for me to watch my words. i tend to have this same struggle.this verse is posted and has been helpful to dwell on the does him good. . .(how can I do him good today?) Proverbs 31:12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

one thing is that you could write down one thing a day what you love or want to encourage him about. at the end of the month give it to him.

Danielle said...

Posted a link to a 30 day challenge on your FB. I think it would be perfect for you!

As for reading for pleasure, what are you interested in? Reading for pleasure obviously doesn't mean fiction if that's not your interest. You've been reading/watching tons of food info and are probably on overload for that. So is there some other topic you'd enjoy?

krista said...

I have found that when I am taking the time to list (physically) the things that I love and appreciate about my man, I am quicker to speak affirmatively to him...and criticism/negativity is less on my tongue. (and bc it's written down, I can give it to him in his lunch, post-it on the mirror, steering wheel, etc.)
*I'm doing this for my Feb. challenge too, so I'm right there with you!!!

As far as book suggestions, you may like "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer. A long tongue twister of a title, but one of the most delightful little books I've ever read. It's a series of letters so you can easily pick up and put down without losing momentum. One of the few books that repeatedly made me chuckle and smile.

Kathy said...

Have you seen the 30-day Husband Encouragement Challenge by Nancy Leigh DeMoss? I did this a couple of years ago and found it to be so helpful. I don't know how to add a link into a comment, if that is possible, so you'll just have to google it. It should come up easily, though.

Briana Almengor said...

Ladies, Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions.

Krista, I will be praying for you as you are taking on this challenge w/ me. Feel free to email me any other ideas that come to mind. I'm going to look up that title; sounds like my kind of book just from the title. :)

Kathy, thanks for the suggestion; Danielle mentioned that as well and I hadn't heard of it but AM doing it. I'm on day 2, and I am finding it a great thing for accountability and encouragement for me personally.

Only day 2 and sadly, I have to admit failure on more than one occasion. This is definitely an area where I need to grow and change and will only with God's help. So, thanks for your prayers and encouragement, ladies. I'm sure my hubby thanks you, too. :)

Briana Almengor said...

Ladies, Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions.

Krista, I will be praying for you as you are taking on this challenge w/ me. Feel free to email me any other ideas that come to mind. I'm going to look up that title; sounds like my kind of book just from the title. :)

Kathy, thanks for the suggestion; Danielle mentioned that as well and I hadn't heard of it but AM doing it. I'm on day 2, and I am finding it a great thing for accountability and encouragement for me personally.

Only day 2 and sadly, I have to admit failure on more than one occasion. This is definitely an area where I need to grow and change and will only with God's help. So, thanks for your prayers and encouragement, ladies. I'm sure my hubby thanks you, too. :)