Respect Challenge: Week 8

Quick Recap - I am on a 25 week journey to becoming a more respectful wife.  I want to be the best wife my husband could ever ask for!  I found my inspiration over at Loving Life at Home.  Please feel free to join me on this journey...it might even change your marriage...  ;)

Be Thankful.

Jennifer notes, "Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Don’t take your husband for granted. Be appreciative for everything he does for you, whether big or small. Always say thank you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18-In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 5:20 - ...always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God...
 
How often are we stuck trying to figure out what God's will is for our life.  When big decisions come up it always becomes a matter of God's will.  Well, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us what God's will is for us!  To give thanks in everything!  That is definitely not easy all of the time.

Especially when we don't think out husbands are doing what they should.  I tried extra hard to be appreciative of the things my Hubby did do this week instead of focusing on the things he didn't do.  It definitely helped me see that he does more than I realize.  For instance - he helped clean up dinner almost every night.  I don't know if I never noticed or if he has just stepped up recently, but I'm loving it! I'd thank him for silly things like putting the toothpaste away and he'd ask "Why are you thanking me?" and shake his head.  I just told him it was because I even appreciated the small stuff - which is true!  I guess I just don't express it enough.  To be honest, I failed miserable yesterday though...I gave him a really hard time for not appreciating what I do and going on and on about how he always notices the negative things but can't ever appreciate the good things I do.  After a great week of appreciating him, I turned it sour by focusing, again, on what he wasn't doing...and I exaggerated the whole situation at that!

I hope, unlike me, that you remember this week that we are doing this to better ourselves and our marriage, not to keep score.

I also think it is important to note that Ephesians 5:20 says we are to give thanks in the name of Christ to God.  That sounds an awful lot like prayer doesn't it?  While you are thanking your husband this week for all he does, why not thank God for him while you're at it?