54 comments

Erin Davis

This Dead Horse Needs a Beating

Posted on 07.23.12 by Erin Davis | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti

Scales

I hate it when I’m right. Oh, who am I kidding? Usually I love it when I am right, but in this case, I kind of hate it.

You see, as a writer it’s my job to sound smart, wise, funny, and with it. So . . . sometimes I write stuff in an effort to impress you that I’m not fully living out myself. It’s not that I’m a fraud exactly, but sometimes I write words that my heart has to catch up with.

That’s what just happened. I wrote a post about acknowledging all that our men do. If you missed that post, you can read it here. The essence was that even when our husbands don’t do everything we like them to do, or do things our way; they are still a valuable asset to our homes and our children. Our best response is gratitude instead of bitterness, resentment, or keeping score.

That all sounded so Hallmark-like until I found myself surrounded by laundry (again), dishes (again), and meals to cook (again times three). I started to do my little internal measuring act where I put all of the stuff I do on one side of the scale and all the stuff my hubby does on the other and see who’s contributing more (hint: me!).

But then I had this crazy thought. What if the things my husband contributes to our home, to our marriage, and to our children won’t even fit on my scale?!

How do you measure stability, safety, provision, steadfastness, patience, strength? How do you measure optimism? How do you measure what our husbands accomplish in prayer? How do you measure hard work?

You don’t.

Certainly not in the same way you can measure dishes, laundry, and clean floors. You can count stacks of laundry. You can count dirty dishes (and clean ones, too). You can count how many times you sent your toddler to time out. But not everything our husbands offer can be counted. That doesn’t mean they aren’t contributing. Maybe the things that they are doing are just too big to fit on the scale.

So, I know that you know that you should prioritize your marriage. I also know that is tough. I’m not trying to heap on guilt by beating a dead horse. But allow this pot to call out your black kettle and encourage you to love your man well, even while you mother.

Maybe date nights and romantic vacations aren’t possible for you in these years, but choosing to acknowledge what your husband does always is, regardless of schedules, finances, or interruptions.

There is no scale that could ever perfectly balance the contributions that wives and husbands make. With that in mind, there is only one good solution. Let’s ditch the scale altogether. Let’s stop trying to get our husbands to pass an invisible checklist and stop treating our marriages like a relay race to see who can do the most for the family by the end of the day.  

Choose instead to see the things your husbands (and kids) do that could never be measured and simply thank them for it.

Since I know you love a giveaway, we’ll choose two of you at random on Friday, July 27, and send you Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy. Just leave a comment sharing what immeasurable thing your husband brings to the table (besides the bacon!).

 

Comments

  1. My husband is solid like a rock and he keeps my often wavy self from crashing. For this I am truly grateful and feel blessed!
    posted by Heather M.
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 7:07 am
  2. My husband gives me something that would break any scale. He knows me better than anyone else does...my pettiness, my sinfulness, my wickedness, my self righteousness, and more. And, after 18 years of marriage, he still loves me and helps me and moves toward me. He is a foretaste of the acceptance and love of Christ. When I am not wrapped up in exalting myself, I realize how blessed I am with him. Love God's plan of marriage!
    posted by Janet
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 7:11 am
  3. WOW Erin,
    Thanks for being vulnerable and honest! I sure remember those years and had the same competing thoughts and fleshly battles!! We have three, three years apart thyroid disease and no family support and I was trying to do ministry at the same time. Crazy. That was 10 years ago and we just stepped into the teenage years:) I was putting my needs and expectations in front of his. It truly is a time of mini trials, heart trials of how to respond when I "can't" do all that I want. We are frail and needy and idol factories. I wish I could apply the gospel into those past years as I do now, but it is a journey a process of leaning on HIm in all things. Applying the example of Christ to serve our husbands and our children and others. We look for edification and it is just plain hard and we desire recognition.

    ONly by the power of Christ have I been able to share with my husband, and my one friend, this week, as she asked how my husband is handling a huge and lengthy trial our family has been under, that I delighte in serving my husband. All I could say is that GOd has used the trials to conform him and me into Christ!! She is about 8-10 years my senior and she has never heard any woman say that. She said, that IS Christ in you! ANd I boast in HIm as I share. In my flesh I am pursuing self. Agape love is only from Him. It is a process of dying to self and His grace that enables us to do so! I grew up in a very broken home and abandoned by my dad and men who never lead their home and were rebellious in one way or another. So not an example to gleen from. BUt HIs word and His spirit is sufficient! His power to change is real. His Word is true! We need to by Gods grace pursue Christ and not our felt needs. There is a battle out there. Flesh and spirit! THe flesh rages war against our soul. As a mom with young kids we don't really acknowledge need to the Lord in so many small areas that we need help in. Attitudes that steal joy, etc. So hard. So wish I could go back but God used my failures in serving self to glorify Him and produce more of a broken spirit in me. The glory of the cross!
    posted by Tam
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 7:15 am
  4. God gives us to each other - husband and wife. When we receive the other as a good gift from the hand of a loving, good God it changes our whole perspective. There is no room for comparison because God has uniquely made us to represent Him to each other (which we fall short of daily!) We are to receive each other as Christ has received us - unconditionally, lovingly, seeing in us what He has designed and through Christ He is making into the person who can do the good works He before the world planned that we would do as his workmanship. Getting beyond our fleshly perspective (only by His grace) are we enabled to walk by faith with His joy in the daily realities of life. Abiding in Him, living in His Presence where there is fullness of joy enables us to see beyond the natural and begin to grow in enjoying the gifts God daily blesses us with. These things I am learning and growing in. Without maturity we only see ourselves, others, and our world around us from our puny perspectives and then that leads to less than content hearts and foolish thoughts and words. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    posted by Jewell
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 7:30 am
  5. He is wise and kind. He helps balance my sometimes rash hastiness.
    posted by Marjorie
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 7:54 am
  6. Today I am reminded to count my many blessings by naming them one by one. (21 years of faithfulness by my husband who loves his family and provides well, 3 children who love me better than I will ever deserve, and a church family God has used for the past 15 years to mature me in Christ.)

    It is true there is no scale to weigh these countless blessings.

    "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever:with my mouth will I make known your faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 89:1)

    Thank you God for giving me what I will never deserve!
    posted by Rebecca Colucci
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 7:57 am
  7. Perfect timing on this one! Thanks!
    posted by JoAnn
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 8:04 am
  8. He cherishes me and loves me even though he knows my sins better than anyone here on Earth! He prays for me in a way that no one else can.
    posted by Debbie
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 8:08 am
  9. My husband brings patience and a calmness to our house. He doesn't usually blow his top when i am getting stressed out, he stays even kealed (sp?) and when he interacts with the kids he keeps it light hearted. I think this helps reflect the character of God in our home, so that when our children think of their heavenly father as someone to have a close relationship with, they will see a gentle kind Father God.
    posted by Christina
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 8:21 am
  10. Calmness & serenity.
    posted by Anita
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 8:25 am
  11. BEAUTIFUL POST Erin! We REALLY DO get caught up in OURSELVES don't we? When our focus should be on OTHERS!
    My husband brings SO MUCH to the "table!" He tells me when I do things that others may take as an insult, (basically, when I've not been careful with my words!) so I can apologize! I am GRATEFUL to him for that! He is the Spiritual leader of our home! He's taught me to not be SO SERIOUS! He brings laughter to our home! He keeps us safe! ALWAYS thinking of safety! Whether it's in the house or in the car, keeping the house maintained....keeping the vehicle maintained! Saving LOADS of money! In ALL our decisions, he thinks ahead; he sees the LONG END of things! He has taught me about people! How to watch for signs, & spot signs of people that you would or wouldn't want to associate with! To protect myself & our children to protect themselves! (I HAVE TO SAY, this is one area I feel is SO IMPORTANT! Parents don't TALK about this type of thing or at least in my family!) My husband encourages me in my interests! My husband puts me & our children FIRST! He ALWAYS waits to make sure everyone has enough food (when times were tough) before he'd serve himself! (I STILL catch him taking SMALL portions when he's afraid there isn't enough!) He helps me with EVERYTHING! If I haven't gotten to the laundry & he needs something, he just puts the laundry in. Not a word of "you didn't do..." He puts up with ME! There are SOOOOO MANY MORE things he does! TO ME, he is the BEST GIFT God has given me aside of Salvation!
    http://tladydesigns.blogspot.com/
    posted by Becky Green
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 8:27 am
  12. He is fantastic at playing with our kids!
    posted by Julie
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 8:53 am
  13. He is the closest person to Jesus that I'll ever know here on earth.
    posted by CarrieC
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 9:04 am
  14. It is the time of our lives to take care of aging parents, so we live with and take care of my bed-ridden Dad and wheel-chair bound Mom. My husband shares this responsibility with me without complaint, usually with far more patience than I, too! I thank God for him over and over!
    posted by Sue W.
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 9:33 am
  15. integrity
    none
    posted by kim s
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 9:41 am
  16. He has taught me how to love God and His Word supremely.
    www.jodylynne.com
    posted by Jody
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 9:53 am
  17. As foster parents, our home is always changing. And I see my husband adjust, too, to the changes. With different children, I need his direction and support more than with others. He's not a flexible person by nature, but he's been a source of encouragement as he embraces the new dynamics each time! He is a faithful partner and loving parent.
    posted by Elaine
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 9:57 am
  18. My husband consistently reads his Bible and prays for our family and many others. He has learned to respond to me emotionally and not just logically (sometimes I need a hug rather than an explanation of why I am wrong). He gives me a kiss goodbye when he is rightfully bugged by something I did or said before he leaves for work. He faithfully works hard to provide for our family and he values the things I do behind the scenes to keep our home running well. And he compliments me on my appearance as I get older and can't compete with the pretty, young gals he sees everywhere. He is the genuine article and I am so blessed!
    posted by Linda
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 10:23 am
  19. What do we desire as women first and foremost? TO BE LOVED! That is what my husband has brought to the table since before we were even married! Next to Christ, he loves me above things, himself, work, etc. I have never had to doubt his constant, unconditional love for one instant, even after 27 years of being together.
    posted by Cami
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 10:30 am
  20. Mine works SO hard, without ever complaining.

    I have a long-term illness and can't contribute to the paycheck. So he works several jobs plus attends seminary full-time. And he never complains. Never wishes out loud that I could help. In fact, when I mention trying to find something small part-time - his first concern is for me, how fatigued it would make me, how I'd be too tired to enjoy homemaking and writing like I do now. Not, how it would help reduce his work load.

    I thank God every day with tears for such a wonderful husband!
    http://dogfuranddandelions.com
    posted by Elizabeth Johnson
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 10:35 am
  21. Today I am thankful that my husband gets up in the morning with our early rising kids, plays with them, and feeds them breakfast, thus giving me a little extra time in the morning to exercise and have a few minutes of quiet time before starting the day. What a blessing and gift to me!
    posted by Megan
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 11:28 am
  22. I'm thankful for the planning & leadership of my husband. He helps me when I'm feeling overwhelmed by seeing the tasks ahead and focusing on just one thing at a time. He also encourages me & affirms me daily in my role as his wife and the mother of our children.
    I'm also thankful for the way he infuses fun into the lives of our kids! Sometimes that means sharing sugary treats, but it always means cuddles and playtime with Daddy! For that, I am grateful.
    posted by Tawnya
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 12:08 pm
  23. my husband gives our family the gift of himself even when he deserves a break. he listens to me even when i am saying the same thing for the zillionth time. he prays with me and our children and for me out loud. he involves all of us in serving the lord as a family as much as possible. thanks for the reminder to be thankful!
    posted by Caryn
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 1:06 pm
  24. This resonated with me. (You don't have to be a young mom to struggle with these things.) It's so tempting to self-righteously feel we are doing more than our spouses. The "me" focus is devastating at any age. But God-focus with the choice to be grateful is also the "cure" at any age.

    Thanks, Erin, for laying it all out there in unattractive transparency so we can see our own hearts.
    www.LOLwithGod.com
    posted by Dawn Wilson
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 1:19 pm
  25. My husband brings a sense of stability to my otherwise "out of control" emotions and he's the dreamer in our marriage.

    Just recently he blessed me tremendously by telling me that he was planning a "vow" renewal ceremony for our 15th wedding anniversary. He doesn't know what that did for me. I had really felt like I had blown it alot in our marriage. I've been doing a lot of confessing and humbling myself...kind of feeling really unworthy. Then he comes along and basically tells me, Hey, honey, let's do it again. Let have a ceremony renewing our vows and let's keep this thing going. We'll get a little cake and invite a few friends and get our pastor to marry us again...I nearly busted out in tears but I kept it together and secretly thanked God for His grace and for His love that He had given to us. Jodi C.
    posted by Jodi C.
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 1:34 pm
  26. I'm thankful for the planning & leadership of my husband. He helps me when I'm feeling overwhelmed by seeing the tasks ahead and focusing on just one thing at a time. He also encourages me & affirms me daily in my role as his wife and the mother of our children.
    I'm also thankful for the way he infuses fun into the lives of our kids! Sometimes that means sharing sugary treats, but it always means cuddles and playtime with Daddy! For that, I am grateful.
    posted by Tawnya
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 1:36 pm
  27. My husband brings emotional stability to my life. I tend to be up and down emotionally, and he is emotionally strong. I am still learning to glean from that.
    posted by Carly Cooper
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 2:22 pm
  28. My husband brings strong spiritual leadership, fun, laughter, depth, prayer, worship, generosity and hospitality to our home. He also does the dishes without complaining whenever I am procrastinating the after dinner clean up.
    posted by Michelle
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 2:37 pm
  29. Really wonderful post - great reminder of what a godly heart looks like. I will have to save this and re-read it every few months (or weeks). My hubby provides respite, joy, understanding, and a sparkle in the eyes of two little girls that could never fit on ANY scale. Blessings to you!
    posted by Brianna
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 3:23 pm
  30. Thank you so much for this post; it really resonated with me today.

    To answer your question, after a whole marriage fraught with darkness of every shade, my husband has given his whole heart to God and now he has a heart to share with me for the first time every as a result of that. I want to remember that always so that I won't stop being thankful.
    posted by Elisabeth
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 3:35 pm
  31. Thanks so much for these two posts! I almost responded to the first one to chime in and say how much I appreciated it and agreed with you, so I'll just do that now. :-)

    Recently our family went through trauma--you know, one of those, "have you been through this life-altering event in the last five years, if so check the box" and the doctor knows to watch your stress levels. I am not typically an emotional person, but during those long days and even longer nights, I felt like my knees would buckle at any time. I kept praying for reassurance and strength to get through the days, and what I received was the calm, reassuring hand of my husband reaching across to hold mine, to smile at me over the hospital bed while we prayed and cried and believed for our child together. I was so glad to have his calm, steady faith with me when mine felt like a balloon about to be let loose to go fluttering around the room and land in a limp heap in the corner. He was a true gift to me, even though he too was stressed and out of sorts and nothing was "normal" any more. I am a blessed wife and I know it.
    posted by Tamara
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 3:39 pm
  32. I didn't realize for years what my husband sacrificed for our family. We decided before having children that I would be a stay at home mom and my husband chose to be the sole supporter. We didn't plan on getting pregnant four months after we were married though!

    When our children came along quickly he decided to keep a job close to home so he could be there in the evenings...so, he turned down a job offer in Chicago.

    Years later when our children were grown he took a job at the very company downtown that made the offer years ago, only now I was was free to work to help him prepare for retirement years. He is a man with vision and now prefers that I stay at home as a full time grandma, available for our family and others. I love and respect this man!

    I already have the book, don't count me in on the give-away.
    http://laughingatwinter.blogspot.com/
    posted by Julie
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 3:41 pm
  33. I have been leading the True woman 101 study at our church. Tomorrow we are covering week 6 and the one thing that this study has given me is a bigger appreciation for my husband. He is a faithful, godly man who provides amply for our family. He is our (we have 3 little girls) cheerleader, model of a faithful follower of Christ & lover of God's word, not afraid to challenge us with compassion when we are wrong and humbly accepts our respectful challenges when we see wrong in His life. No, He is not perfect, but what a thing of beauty to see God working in all our hearts to make us more Christ-like. As the leader of our home, he makes it so very easy to follow him.

    I'll be honest, the above view of my sweet hubby is where I come to every time I lay everything at the cross---but I often get there by way of having to acknowledge my sin of complaining about this precious man God has given me, when I become too critical, think I have it worse than he does, or think that he should be like me & do things my way. Praise God for his beautiful design for men & women, and for redemption through the cross!
    posted by Christina
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 4:01 pm
  34. Thank you so much for this reminder and you are not beating dead horse because if we all heard it once and put it into practice we wouldn't struggle so much in our daily lives!

    My husband is a symbol of incredible strength! He so often picks me up and cheers my feeble efforts on to greatness for our family!! Right now he is picking up the slack left from me while I deal with a broken arm....this entails housework now and again, horse chores, taking the kids into the pool and helping to care for 6 children and 3 foster children....he is my hero each and everyday! Thanks for reminding me of this truth!
    posted by Louisa
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 4:09 pm
  35. steadfastness and faithfulness. through 10 years of difficult challenges in our marriage from births of four sons, to countless moves (across nation and continents), to the death of a son, to the loss of a dream and plan for our lives... and even in the midst of being married to a very selfish and prideful (aka sinful!) woman - me - he has never once let me go, or even thought of letting me go. He is my rock, and a picture of God's faithfulness to me!
    posted by Annie
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 4:10 pm
  36. My husband is strong, wise, protective, extremely patient with me and loves his family dearly.
    posted by Nicole
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 4:15 pm
  37. Its so easy to get caught up in all that moms do and start to compare. Thank you for this reminder! My husband sees the importance of teaching our children God's Word. That definitely can't be measured.
    posted by Rachel
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 4:23 pm
  38. He overlooks and perseveres. No matter what.
    posted by Cheryl Wade
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 4:46 pm
  39. My wonderful best friend and I will be married 35 years this Oct. He brought with him the custody of his 14 yr. old son, and later his teen daughter moved in; and later still the daughter and her toddler moved in.
    I never conceived, so we never had any of our own.
    Now we are empty nesters and the 8 yr old great-grandson visits often. Gramps is his best friend.
    We had my mother in house before she had to go to a nursing home where my daddy was already living due to Alzheimer's Mother had dementia, which was different from Daddy's Alzheimer's.
    I am a 4 1/2 yr breast cancer survivor. My husband has weathered my journey through difficult oncology and radiation experiences. He now loves me through the "chemobrain" caused by the chemo pill Arimidex and then Armosin.
    We attend church together. He has been on mission trips. He is my best friend ; my confidant; my lover; my encourager.
    I thank God for giving him to me.
    posted by Joan Adams
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 4:55 pm
  40. He shows grace to me, even when I withhold it from him.
    He is far more patient with me and my sinfulness than I am with him and his sinfulness.
    posted by Ruth
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 5:14 pm
  41. My husband steadies me. I did not grow up with a Christian dad and how blessed I am that my husband shows Christ to our kids!
    posted by Gaye
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 7:57 pm
  42. My husband is what I call "grace and mercy" where I am "truth". He's helped me be more calm and kind where I was more the drill sergeant with our girls. He's definitely God's good gift from above to me! Stopping by the store on my way home from work to get him a card that shows him I appreciate him, just because! :-)
    posted by Jan Elizabeth
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 8:36 pm
  43. My husband's contribution could never be measured and I have never tried. He spends long hours at work and then comes home and helps around the house doing things I can't do. He stands behind my directives to the kids and he leads our family in the way it should go. He tells me to spend money when I am too used to being frugal. He buys me 2 dozen roses almost every week b/c he knows I love the colors of the flowers. He helps me organize and get things done when I am feeling overwhelmed. He and I calm each other when the other is getting too intense with the kids (7 of them!). He desires to please God and do what's right & he takes God's word at face value, never trying to twist it to fit his own purposes. He's too hard on himself but I admire him greatly.
    posted by LeeAnn Cheeley
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 10:18 pm
  44. I have 3 children under four years of age, two with some horrible allergies that can cause much stress in a SAHM. My loving husband comes home from a long day of work willing to help with laundry or cleaning. He will then selflessly play with our 3 boys and give baths to 2 who absolutely hate getting clean. But he muscles through all of it even juggling travel for work, choir practice at church and serving in our youth group. My husband works HARD for us! What a godly example he is to our boys. I am thankful for God's provision in my life with my husband.
    posted by Lauren
    on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 11:57 pm
  45. He keeps me laughing and remembering that a clean house isn't the memory I'll look back on 10 years from now.
    posted by Jen
    on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 2:33 am
  46. My husband went to kuwait non militaycontractor for a year and that is when i realized what he brought to the house and family.When he came back we had to figure out all over again how to deal with each other. I recently used the 30 day husband encouregment challenge. it has helped so much. we live on one incom and i am looking for a job. Before i would have just gone a head with out his advice and now i rely on him and it has been a much calmer expearence for both of us.
    posted by Naomi Jensen
    on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 10:32 am
  47. My husband gave me back my family. A year ago, we were on the brink of divorce, he had moved out and closed his heart to me. Miraculously, God softened his heart enough to see that our son was more important than our selfish problems and he moved back home, recompleting our family.
    I will by no means pretend the last year has been easy or always beautiful, but today my husband and I are both committed to making our marriage work, one day at a time, for the amazing little boy God has blessed us with. Each day, our hearts grow more tender toward each other and our son grows stronger in our love.
    My husband could have chosen himself, but he chose our family instead. He is giving me and my son something I didn't get as a little girl, an unbroken home. Pretty sure that outweighs any pile of laundry and dishes I could do. =)
    posted by Jessica DeMent
    on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 3:07 pm
  48. Today is my wonderful husband's birthday. He is 51. I'm glad he was born. I do not know how he is able to take care of me (and 8 children) and the church and still remain patient, wise, hopeful and encouraging. He is God's gift to me. He loves me the way Jesus loves.
    posted by Susan McCurdy
    on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 9:14 am
  49. As I read over all the many posts before me, I find myself saying, "Yes, he's like that, and that and that...!" I feel like I've been at a banquet celebrating the men the Father has given us! My man, best friend and companion for 21 years, father of three very special daughters is who I call the Essence of Coolness. The EOC, maybe not as the world would characterize, but the world is not after Godly, humble, patient, kind, helpful, committed, teachable and a great teacher, fun (ok, so the world might be into that!), a dedicated father and a patient, listening husband. He is precious ballast in my life filled with emotion and intensity. He is my man and I'm gonna go make his dinner :)
    posted by Sandra G
    on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 3:12 pm
  50. My husband of over 23 years is constant, stable, fair, honest and patient. At times I have had a problem with each of these traits, and at times it has been hard feeling his traits are stronger than mine. However, through everything my husband is constant, stable, fair, honest and patient. The very gifts that God bestowed upon him are the very needs that I had in a mate. Isn't God awesome that way?
    posted by Ann Norris
    on Friday, July 27, 2012 at 3:09 pm
  51. Loved loved this post. God has blessed me with a man who is always looking out for the family and specifically for me. I had a health crisis four years ago that (in a good way) changed our relationship. He has a tenderness and gentleness toward me and is constantly telling me to watch this or watch that so that I do not get hurt. He has done countless hours of research on the computer while I am sleeping to find hope for pain relief and help with my physical issues. All of this has made MY heart more tender and gentle to him, and to recognize all that he does for me. I too want to be a blessing to him and do all that I can to do so. This post was a great reminder that we all should be doing this for our spouses. Every day.
    posted by Jana
    on Friday, July 27, 2012 at 5:41 pm
  52. I love how my husband does devotions with our family. He sings the Word to us! It is so comforting to the soul!
    posted by Winona
    on Friday, July 27, 2012 at 6:43 pm
  53. Congrats to Jessica Dement and Tamara! You just won a copy of "Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Check your inbox for more details.
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 11:38 am
  54. He is gentle and patient with me, even when I am impatient with myself, and he is steadfast and dependable, even when I am blown about by my emotions. He knows God's word and stands firmly on it and he is so trustworthy and such a rock. I love my husband! What a blessing he is from God. Thank you for encouraging me to remember this more and to try and thank him for being who he is every day.
    posted by Hazel
    on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 4:38 am

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