Marriage Monday ~ Don't forget to give him praise

I know I have shared a lot lately about how busy life is around here. And I know that life is probably just as busy for you.

We are running through our days barely taking the time to sit quietly and catch up.

This weekend I stole a few minutes to sit down & put my feet up. In those few quiet moments I felt God whisper to my heart have you told Jeff how thankful you are for him? Have you given him words of affirmation & praise?

The seed was planted on Friday night when we were at a baseball game with some friends. I don't remember exactly what was going on but I made a comment to a friend "I am so thankful my husband...". As those words left my lips they sounded different. A twinge of guilt & uneasiness caught me as I realized it had been too long since I last praised Jeff.

We have been so busy trying to get so much done that I have overlooked the little, simple things in life. Saying thank you and giving praise doesn't take long, it may take just a few seconds but the lasting effects can linger for hours.

This week I am going to make a conscious effort to praise Jeff for all that he does and all that he is even if it is the little things.

How about you? What can you find to praise your husband for?

Continuing the Joy Dare as I give thanks for all the wonderful things my husband does #642- #651:

• a husband who boldly says the truth
• a husband who lovingly changes the dressing on my injured finger
• works hard to provide for our family
• faithful & devoted
• quietly has fun in his introverted way
• takes pride in his work around the house (even when painting the closet)
• loves taking the kids on Daddy/son/daughter dates
• gives me grace when I can't seem to get it all done
• loves me unconditionally
• Godly example to our children

Taking the Joy Dare of counting 1000 gifts with Ann at A Holy Experience 

In His Calm,

Mary

Thankful Thursday ~ Ever Present

Thank you for the grace to be absent for a little while. 

Life has been busy as we continue renovations, end of the year school activities, sports practices, church activities and family celebrations. 

Life whirs around us sometimes at a dizzying pace. As I spin around God quietly reminds me to sit at His feet and take in each moment.

This morning as I sit at my window breathing in His Presence. I watch a momma bird fluttering around a tree busily taking care of her young. She stops for just a moment to feed her babies and she is off again. A few minutes later she is sitting on a gutter over looking the tree. She keeps watch. An ever present source of protection. 

And then I'm reminded of how God is an ever present source of protection for me. He keeps watch over me and feeds me with the Word of His Truth.

Thank you Lord for being an ever present source of protection, strength & comfort.

Continuing the Joy Dare #606 - #641

• dyeing Easter Eggs for the first time
• looking for the positive in a morning where all plans were changed
• laughter from a car full of boys on a field trip
• freshly laundered towels
• 20 bags of documents shredded
• getting to know Garrett's teacher better
• Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times: His Praise shall continually be in my mouth."
• touring a family run dairy farm
• watching Garrett play with his friends from school
• Daddy/daughter lunch dates
• picnic lunch with 25 2nd graders
• Song of Prayer by Chad Lawson
• much needed shower
• slowing down to hear God whisper through the gift of piano
• laughter & fun from a brother & sister
• memories of childhood fun
• picture perfect moments
• laughter & fun in the baseball stands
• 14 years of journeying through the mountains & valleys of a marriage with my best friend
• forever love
• a surprise last minute trip
• being free to to the unexpected
• family stopping in for a quick visit
• 1st day of slipping slide fun for the summer
• little girl performances
• my little girl sitting in my lap
• baby birds leaving the nest
• God confirming a call
• support & encouragement
•  from family & friends
•  gray walls & a new chance to organize a closet
• white rose
• the promise of an orange bloom
• cool breeze on a warm day
• kids laughter as they play in the backyard
• the ugly-beautiful of mounds of laundry everywhere
• construction dust everywhere

Taking the Joy Dare of counting 1000 gifts with Ann at A Holy Experience 

In His Calm,

Mary