How Can I Inspire Thee? There are at LEAST 1000 Ways! Husbands to Wives, part 3 of 10

Boaz Ministries

1. Thank God for your wife by name when the two of you are praying together.
2. Try not to argue over money. Peacefully discuss future expenditures instead.
3. Be helpful, both before and during the time you have visitors in your home. (If you’re not sure of what to do, ask your wife “What can I do that would help the most?”)
4. Remember to tell her or call her as soon as you know you are going to be late.
5. Be an involved partner in helping with the children and spending time together.
6. Don't belittle her intelligence.
7. Give her the love gift of being thoughtful and considerate to her relatives.
8. Find out what her sexual needs are (and then try to fulfill them).
9. Put effort into keeping yourself in good shape so she’s especially proud to be with you.
10. Go shopping with her and don’t sigh or look at what time it is even once.

How Can I Inspire Thee? There are at LEAST 1000 Ways! Husbands to Wives, part 2 of 10

Boaz Ministries

1. Be supportive, help your wife finish her education and goals that are important to her.
2. Honor her and be verbally supportive in front of the children.
3. Keep her trust at all cost. Leave no gray area when it comes to other female relationships, money or your word (Dave Ramsey).
4. Ask her, and then listen to what makes her fearful and insecure (without judging).
5. Pray about and then act upon what you can do to alleviate those fears.
6. Take time to touch every day, even if it's only for a minute or two.
7. Scratch her back, or rub her feet, or her neck, give her a massage, whatever she'd prefer.
8. Do not embarrass your wife by arguing with her in front of others.
9. Defend her to others - especially to your family.
10. Surprise her with a 15 second kiss - with no expectation to go further!

to be continued...

How Can I Inspire Thee? There are at LEAST 1000 Ways! Husbands to Wives, part 1 of 10

Boaz Ministries
 
1. Lead your family in their spiritual relationship with God. This is important to your wife.
2. Start and/or end each day holding hands in prayer with your wife.
3. Compliment her on the giftedness you see in her. Be specific.
4. Allow your wife to teach you things without being defensive.
5. When you feel you must correct her, do so with gentleness. Speak the truth with LOVE.
6. Find something that makes you laugh together.
7. Give her grace when she offends you, and forgive(as you want to be forgiven).
8. Be a good listener. Show your wife you value what she says.
9. Brag about her to others, both in front of her and when she is not with you.
10. Maintain good grooming habits so you look and smell good. It shows you care.

...to be continued, amen!

How Can I Inspire Thee? There are at LEAST 1000 Ways! Husbands to Wives

Boaz Ministries

There is a body of exhaustive, comprehensive material out there that any couple dedicated to strengthening their relationship can access. In our research, we had to narrow the "Ways to Inspire" list down to 100 - husbands to wives. Bear in mind, these suggestions came from men who found success and are experiencing sustained joy, peace and increasing love in their marriages/relationships.

One husband stated that he created a list, presented it to his wife, and asked her to check all of the activities/actions that were most important to her; and the love games began. Wise man. The key: LOVE your woman (and your man), the way s/he needs to be loved/appreciated (Remember, "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary D. Chapman). Again, these are just suggestions - you may have your own that are working well - we'd love for you to share!

Coming with the first 10 tomorrow...stay tuned!

B & B Edwards

How Can I Inspire Thee? Here are Just a Few Ways... Wives to Husbands, Part 2 - finale

Boaz Ministries

As we were looking over the list of practices these real wives have shared, narrowing it to 50 wasn't easy. All of the suggestions were awesome, and quite frankly, there are some that I (Bridget) found eye-opening, and beneficial!

We hope these will be a blessing to you and yours! And, of course, there will be a Husbands to Wives list in the coming days - so, stay tuned!
 

*Ask him how you can pray for him at work. Later on in the week, get an update from him on what you’ve prayed for.

 *Be proactive about doing something together that he really enjoys. Make a date, get him excited, and share his enthusiasm!

*Ask, “If I could do one thing that would really empower you and inspire you, what would it be?” Then listen, resist being defensive (the hard part), and follow through.

*Remind him of specific times when he’s made an impact on other people’s lives.

*Buy him something small to stoke the fires: A journal for a writer, some carpentry pencils for a woodworker, some grilling tools for the master chef. Add a sweet note: “Just because I love the way you’re made.”

*Think about a way you’ve been hurting him or annoying him. Or there may be ways you’re not “seeing” him—not stepping into his world to understand what it’s like to be him, with all of the things he cares about. Apologize, and work hard at showing true change.

*Find a mutually enjoyable activity you like doing together on a regular basis, even if it’s as simple as playing the Wii together after the kids are in bed.

*What’s difficult about his life right now? Pray for his endurance, and encourage him specifically. Galatians 6:9 is a great start for both. Think, What can I do to ease the load he’s carrying?

*Send a snail-mail love note to him at the office, affirming him in
his work.

*In his area of weakness, pray about how to subtly, gently step in and help him.

*Tell him what a great dad he is. Be specific.

*If and when he messes up, respond with the kind of grace, compassion, and mercy that God gives you. Respond in a way that communicates, You’re safe with me—and I’m not going to rehash your failures. This is a secure place for you to grow … and I love the journey with you.

To be continued...

How Can I Inspire Thee? Here are Just a Few Ways... Wives to Husbands, Part 1

 Boaz Ministries

A wife has the unique ability to help her husband to feel the freedom to reach his fullest potential as the man God created him to be. As we’ve interacted with couples in small groups, couple-to-couple, and one-on-one, we’ve been able to compile helpful lists of practical ways spouses may bless and inspire one another. Below are just a few of the 50 practical tips that wives say they are using, with success! We are sure you have some great suggestions of your own, and we welcome the sharing!

*Discover his “love language,” and become fluent in it.

*Be a student of your husband. Does he feel inspired if he has all his ducks in a row? If he has a creative space to think? If he feels verbally affirmed?

*Consistently mention ways you see him growing to be more like Christ.

*Initiate great sex.

*Ban yourself from nagging, which is the Great Life-Sucker.

*Ask God to open your eyes to the ways He has made your husband unique, and to give you wisdom about how to maximize that workmanship.

*Pray about and pursue at least one dream of your own, talking with him about it. An inspired wife breeds inspiration.

*Give him a book or audio CD to learn about something he loves doing.

*Make sure he feels respected by you.

*Ask him about some dreams he has—and pray about them together, evaluating them. Then ask how you can help him go after them.

*Text him on a stressful day. Example: “REMINDER: I BELIEVE IN U.”

To be continued...

B & B Edwards

Love Covers A Multitude of Sins

Boaz Ministries 

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1Peter 4:8

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

For the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about “covering” as it relates to marriage-minded and married couples. And in that context, traditionally, we understand that the husband is the head of the household, under the Headship of Christ.

God has called all of us, as believers, to cover one another in love. Covering in love is both an action (1 Peter 4:8) in which we are to show deep, sincere (divine) love; and it is the result - the restoration of another, who would otherwise be overtaken by the enemy (James 5:20).

That there may be no misunderstanding, “covering” someone does not mean that we are to “overlook” the wrongdoing as if it is not a sin. By the power of God’s Spirit, genuine charity will cause us to reach out to individuals with loving admonition and forgiveness, that they may be restored.

If we engage in this kind of love with one another, we can experience the ultimate protection. We are covered!