I am still reading Romancing Your Husband by Debra White Smith; however, I have neglected to comment on each chapter as I had intended.  So, I thought I'd take a few moments and do just that.  :)

The chapter "Space & Grace" is about giving your husband the space to be who God has created him to be and the grace we need to give him when he doesn't do everything maybe as we wives would like.  She talked about how wives often complain about their husbands not doing anything around the house, and yet if their husband does something, like the laundry, for example, and then the wife complains that he didn't do it "right."  Well, no wonder our husband doesn't want to help us!  We complain when they do! 

I used to do this often, I'm embarrassed to admit.  However, I was blessed in reading through this chapter as God showed me that He has already done a work in my heart regarding this issue, and I am so grateful!  Not that I am perfect.  I catch myself from time to time doing this... especially when it comes to the children.  Since I am home with them all day long, I tend to takeover even when he is home.  I am learning, by God's grace, to stop doing that. 

Another thing that the author reminds us is to stop the negative thinking... instead of dwelling on what our husband does not do, remind ourself of what he DOES do.  I used to feel resentful that my husband got to come home from work and take a nap everyday.  After all, I was often up nights taking care of babies and I was tired, too!  However, if I stopped and thought about it... my husband gets up at 1am to begin his work day and often works 11- or 12- hour days.  He took a nap everyday so that he could be awake enough to spend time with us as a family.  Instead of dwelling on him napping, I would remind myself of how hard he worked for us, giving me the opportunity to be home with our children!  And then I realized another thing... If I just asked my husband, he was more than happy to let me sneak in a nap when he got up.  I just never thought to ask... and because I didn't say anything, he didn't know I even wanted one! 

I will end this entry with a quote from this chapter:

Continually think "space and grace!"  Remember, Jesus Christ gives us ample doses of grace and plenty of space to make our mistakes.  When we make the mistakes and turn to Him for help, He gives us more grace to overcome our errors!  Be Christ to your husband!"

Blessings,

~LISA