Valentines day is upon us and it can be a really hard day if you have high expectations.  So let me help you out now and suggest you lower your expectations. It’s expecting roses, flowers and diamonds on this day (or your Birthday or Mother’s Day) that will ruin your day if you don’t get them! I say this from experience friends.

If you happen to be one of the majority who doesn’t get anything for Valentine’s Day from your husband – remember all the things he does year around that blesses your family. 

Also, I want to encourage us all to live every day – even on holidays – with our hearts turned outward and upward. Remember Philippians 2:3 &4 says “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Sometimes it feels like the majority of people who really enjoy this day are the kids – exchanging their Valentines with friends, those who are dating or those who are ”living together” outside of marriage. 

You see it on the screen, in commercials and I’m sure you’ll see it on Facebook this coming Thursday.  It looks like passion was made for everyone else…But we are totally missing the boat my married friends!  The romance and passion we see in movie theatres and on soap operas – was meant for US!

God created passion between a man and a woman – and it was created for husband and wives –married people!!!

Why is it that it looks like those who are co-habitating or cheating get to have all the fun in the movies? That’s a lie – it’s us – we are the ones who are supposed to be enjoying this God-given gift.

 But we aren’t – because life is so full or maybe we aren’t getting along right now or maybe our marriage has grown stale.  Well it’s time to reclaim the passion!  Let’s use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to give our men a little extra TLC.  Let’s live it up in our marriages to the glory of God! 

Do you know what your husband wants? There’s still a few days left – so ask him! (and maybe that will remind him to get those flowers lol!)

2. Pursue him for a night of passion. (remember you are married – HAVE fun!  Read Song of Solomon if you need some inspiration ) Be a *flirt* – wink at him across the table – suggest what is for dessert after the kids are in bed *wink*. Put on something flirty – Loosen’ up and be playful!  Remember how you used to be when you were dating – all that bottled up passion was to be saved for NOW – now you are married.

Walk with the King,

There is something about the sparkle in a wife’s eye, the smile that says I adore you, the curves of her body, the sweet smell of her perfume, the way she moves in the dark…that draws a man to his wife.

Proverbs 30:18,19 says“There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand; the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden.”

For most men the physical need for intimacy is more than just physical – it is emotional. Just as we long to remain desirable to our husband’s, our husband’s long to know that they are still desirable to us. Their big ol’ egos might not let them admit it – but it’s there.

Within our God given femininity, we have the power to make our men feel stronger, more capable, more confident and loved in all areas – simply by responding to his initiatives.  Also, studies have shown that kissing is a great stress-reliever and improves bonding in a couple.

I once had the opportunity to talk with Dr. David Clarke, in person, about marriage.  He has counseled broken marriages for over 20 years and is the author of almost 10 books on marriage — in this 54 second video, he explains how to “kiss your way to a better marriage”:

So this week’s challenge is:

 

Pursue kissing your husband. Purpose to meet him at the door with a whopper of a kiss!

 

Solomon 5:16 says “His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely.”

 

Also, respond to his initiatives for intimacy.  “S*x is like a silent cheer.” ~ Paula Rinehart

 

“Be available, agreeable and interested.(~Linda Dillow, Intimate Issues)

 

Our men feel stronger, more capable, and built up when we respond to their advances with a smile. Seek to give your husband a back rub, or shower together, be creative! Purpose to kiss your husband like you mean it this week!

 

“When you touch your husband’s deepest need something good almost always happens!”~Dr. Emerson Eggerich

 

Chime In: If you are participating, share with us how this challenge is going!  How has your husband responded?/

If you are a blogger – I invite you to blog about this week’s challenge and then link up below. Please include this button in your post:

 

 Walk with the King,

I loved your response to last week’s challenge.  Many of you commented how you were pouring on the praise! Way to go! 

Some of you shared how your husband  reacted.  One husband thought his wife’s facebook page had been hacked because he was so surprised by her compliments.  Another asked his wife if she was feeling okay…he was concerned after her gushing praise.  So cute! 

This past week – I sent my “I Love You” text that I shared last week:

Also, my husband had a business trip so I had my daughter paint some hearts and we hid it in his suitcase before he left.  He loved it!

Dr. Emerson Eggerich says: “When you touch your husband’s deepest need something good almost always happens!”

Week 2 Challenge – This week we will be a little more creative with our praise. Below are some fun ideas. 

The “Pour on the Praise” List:

1. Write a love message on the mirror.  Use lipstick or if that’s too messy – write little love notes on  post-it notes and hang them around…by the coffee pot, on the mirror, on his steering wheel and on his pillow.

2. Pack a love message in his lunch

3. Use sidewalk chalk and write a love message on the driveway

4. Write a list of ten things you admire about him and give it to him in letter form.

or make this:

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Use a small notebook and write out the ABC’s of why you love him.

5. Make a toast to him at dinner with friends. Or raise your glass at dinner and list the things you admire about your husband for your children to hear!

6. Buy or make your husband a trophy and engrave it with the words “The Best Husband in the World.” (I found a cheap trophy at a party supplies store – the kids loved presenting it to daddy) 

7. Write a poem – even if you can’t write – it can be goofy. Include in it references to your favorite movies, restaurants, places to go and memories. He will enjoy the trip down memory lane and the laugh!

8- Blow up balloons and put a loving message in each one. Fill your bedroom with balloons as a surprise.

Photo credit: Pinterest

Or one helium balloon for each year you’ve been married.

9- Take a roll of receipt tape and write a long message with the things you admire and respect about your husband – then roll it up and put it in a bottle for your husband to open and read. (I made many of these for my husband in college when we were dating long distance. I mailed them in packages.)

10. Frame the lyrics to your first dance

“The wise woman builds her house,

but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
~Proverbs 14:1

Get creative this week.  This list is just to inspire you – feel free to do your own thing.  We can’t wait to hear about it!!!

Your husband’s are going to be SO blessed this week!

Chime In: Once you accomplish praising him at least one time – leave a comment in the comment section telling us what you did – we can all benefit from your inspiration and creativity!

If you are a blogger – I invite you to blog about this week’s challenge and then link up below.  Please include this button in your post:

 

Walk with the King,

“The wise woman builds her house,

but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” 
~Proverbs 14:1