"Be My Valentine" Marriage Challenge

Do you ever just get in a rut in your marriage relationship? I sometimes do. Not in a bad place but just kinda blah! When Courtney from Women Living Well posted she was issuing a “Be My Valentine” Marriage Challenge I thought fought with myself about whether or not I wanted to participate. Now I’ve learned that if I fight within myself about doing something it almost always means I NEED to do it.

I think I need to do this challenge. Deep down I don’t want to work on #1 from my post 35 Things I Learned in 35 Yrs of Marriage post. Not because I don’t love my husband but because I can sometimes get resentful that I’m the one who puts the creativity and energy into our marriage. Most times it feels really one sided. It feels like a LOT of work at times, know what I mean?

So I decided to ask God why I have to be the one to do this and He gently reminded me of two things.

1. I am the creative person in the relationship.
2. As Gary Smalley teaches, the woman has a built-in marriage manual and can almost always tell where things are off and how to fix them.

When I do this for our marriage I am using the gifts and talents God gave me plus I’m learning how to quiet the selfish part of me. So, I am going to be participating and wondered if you would like to join in with me.

Here’s how it will work since Valentine’s Day is 4 weeks away each week Courtney will post a theme and then that week we will work on that one theme. Each week the challenge will be the same – to praise, encourage, inspire, admire, build-up, thank and appreciate your husband. But each week she will give you different ways to express your praise. Feel free to tweak it for what you think is best for your husband.

Week 1 our focus will be looking for ways to praise your husband verbally.

Here are some suggestions from Courtney:

Praise him in front of the kids, friends, family, co-workers, on Facebook tweet it – get praise out any way you can! Try to mention something noteworthy he has done – in his role as provider, father, husband, lover, or friend. If the thought of trying to come up with one terrifies you, then pray right now that God will give you new eyes to see your husband as God does. Then open your mouth and say something kind and uplifting to your husband today and tomorrow and the next day until Valentine’s Day arrives!

OK, ready or not here we go! Let’s praise our husbands.

We’re working on #31 from my 35 things list:

31. Be your spouse’s publicist! Brag about your spouse whenever you can. Especially when they can hear you. They will secretly eat it up!

Will you be joining me in this challenge, I hope so?? If you are please leave me a comment.

Check these out:

Week 2 Creative Ways to Say I Love You

Week 3 Date Your Husband: Creative Date Ideas

Week 4 Loving Your Husband Intimately

I’d love to have you follow along. You can subscribe to my RSS Feed or sign up to receive daily Emails delivered to your inbox. You can also follow along via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

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Comments

Colleen says: January 21, 2013 at 9:17 AM

I think this is great and refreshing!!! VSO many people these days give up too easy and feel they have no contribution to the way things are…..as one of my favorite book titles states " love is a decision"….it is more than that ohh and ahh feeling everyone expects it……this is a great challenge for me as my hubby's love language is words of affirmation….and I'm at the other end of the spectrum w gifts……so yes I'll be joining 🙂

2busy says: January 21, 2013 at 12:17 PM

My husband is a "words of affirmation" guy. He'll eat this up.

Renee says: January 21, 2013 at 2:28 PM

I am in! I can't wait to see if he notices.

I Gotta Try That says: January 21, 2013 at 3:57 PM

This is such a great idea. I love that you always turn to God for answers. I know that sometimes we forget and try to do it all on our own when he is just waiting there for us to just ask. Hope you have a great week Barb!Hugs,Marcie

Schnookums says: January 21, 2013 at 5:31 PM

What a wonderful idea. My hb is facing some scary medical tests and I know this will be uplifting to him. It will also be helpful that our daughter, sil and grands are coming for a visit!!! Thanks for the ideas- looking forward to more.

Schnookums says: January 21, 2013 at 5:32 PM

Great ideas! Thanks!

Crystal says: January 21, 2013 at 9:42 PM

Such a wonderful idea! I'm in too!!

Abby Devine says: January 21, 2013 at 10:18 PM

I am in too… Love this idea. Don't be hard on yourself, it is frustrating but us women are mostly the creative ones in the relationship!

Lori @ EncourageYour says: January 22, 2013 at 2:58 PM

I'm with you on being the "creative" one in the relationship – but my hubby does appreciate it, so that's OK. Sounds like a great challenge. I'm in!

Motive to be Pretty says: January 22, 2013 at 10:37 PM

Great post and lovely blog.We are following you now can you follow us back? Kisses

Mrs. Mama says: January 23, 2013 at 12:53 AM

Count me in! I love this idea. I am bad about forgetting to praise my wonderful husband.

LuAnn Braley says: January 23, 2013 at 5:18 AM

Following from the Matrimonial Monday blog hop. My plate is full at the moment, but if it's ok, I will follow your journey in the Valentine's challenge. :O)Wow, that link-up list took some work. WTG!

Diana - FreeStyleMam says: January 23, 2013 at 3:18 PM

Challenge accepted!!

A Proverbs 31 Wife says: January 23, 2013 at 9:01 PM

This is so much fun! I love to brag on my hubby, he is silly in that he pretends he don't care….. but I know better 😉

A to Zebra Celebrati says: January 27, 2013 at 3:42 AM

I need to do this!!! great idea! I've been married 11 years.

Наталия Ошуева says: January 27, 2013 at 4:59 PM

How cool! a very interesting idea!
I love my husband and want our marriage was a happy one.
In my young blog I created a gallery of romantic ideas. And what do you do – it’s just wonderful. very much ask you, add your message Галерея романтических идей

Stacey says: January 29, 2013 at 7:13 AM

Great idea – I will definately check back to see how it is coming along.Thanks for linking up!Stacey of Embracing Change

Kristin @ Peppermints and Cherries says: February 5, 2018 at 9:26 AM

Visiting from Merry Monday and Pinning! Also following on FB and Pinterest. 😉 This looks like a great challenge with some very helpful tips. I will be coming back to it!