Forever Beloved - Faith, Love & Truth

When we enter into marriage, our main focus is each other. But as time goes on, our focus tends to turn to jobs, bills, or children and less on each other. So many times we just get caught up in life and forget things like this are super important. Unfortunately, this causes many marriages to have problems. It’s time to put our focus back on our spouse! Every day is a perfect day to show your husband a little extra love and remind him (and maybe you) of how thankful you are for him.

You can communicate your love in so many ways other than speech and I just bet he would be super excited that you did. Here are some ways for you to show your husband your love. Choose at least five every day and watch your marriage blossom into a wonderful relationship!

pray for him
say I’m sorry
never ever ever go to bed mad
meet him at the door with a kiss and a smile
an encouraging word
make his favorite meal
let your home be a haven were your husband can retreat from the stresses of life
let him know that you respect and admire his leadership
take interest in his hobbies
send him a little love text or email for his eyes only
flirt with him
thank him for everything
snuggle in front of a fire
write an encouraging verse and put it on his steering wheel
let him be the man of the house
buy new lingerie
wear an outfit you know he likes
laugh together
tell him 5 reasons why you love him
make your bedroom a special retreat
get him his fav treat while your out shopping
go for a long drive together
wake him up with kisses
speak highly and lovingly about him to other people
give him a back-rub
take a walk together
hold his hand
trust him
don’t hold on to grudges
hide a love note somewhere he’ll find it
pack his lunch for him
plan a date night
listen to him when he is stressed
talk him up in front of his (and your) friends
keep your promises
do his chores for him
laugh and have fun with him
bite your lip and don’t nag or complain
love him

Oh sweet friend, just writing this post makes my heart feel pangs of sadness. Thinking about you makes tears run down my cheeks. You see, last year I was you. I was the girl that couldn’t find her Christmas, no matter where she looked. I was the girl with an empty, aching heart.

Let me share my story.

Last year, as the Holidays approached, they felt different. I pushed it aside as much as I could, until the obvious was staring me straight in the face. I put up my tree, made handmade decorations, shopped till I dropped, baked cookies, watched Rudolph, burnt yummy smelling candles…and still nothing. I still couldn’t feel Christmas. Why couldn’t I FEEL it? I ran down the to-be-happy-at-Christmas checklist, put marks in all the boxes and I’m still wasn’t happy.

I was sassy. I was mean. I was sad. I cried. I was distant. I had myself a big ole’ pity party. Daily, I alternated between trying to talk myself out of it and justifying my feelings. Christmas was just so expensive and money was tight. Last year I had a close friend to do fun holiday activities with, this year I didn’t. My dog was aging and couldn’t walk some days. The weather was yucky. There wasn’t any snow. I missed my Grandma who had passed away. My family didn’t get together anymore on Christmas Eve. I could go on and on.

My heart was just sad.

I’m going to be honest. No matter how much I tried to talk myself out of it, it was just a valley I had to walk through. And that’s okay.

Friend, if you’re hurting this holiday season…It’s okay to hurt.

People will, no doubt, tell you to just “get over it” and “move on”. And maybe you feel like you should be over it, but you just don’t know how to be. I want to tell you it’s okay.

If there is anything I’ve learned over the past few years, it’s this. When God leads you through a valley, don’t close your eyes. Keep them open as wide as you can. Along the journey, even in the midst of the valley, there will be beautiful blessings.

I promise you, some day you will find joy in the Holidays again. God has joy planned for you!! At first, it may come in a little smile here or there. Or you find yourself actually singing along to a Christmas carol. Embrace it! Smile. Laugh. Hug. Eat. Fellowship. And when the tears come, embrace them too. Cry if you need to. Be honest and brave.

Healing will come. Joy will emerge from this dark season. A Holiday season will feel almost normal again. Laughter will return.