My dear sweet hubby, Ron, and I have been married for 20+ years. We began dating during my freshman year at Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville. He is my college sweetheart. We have ministered together in various ministries during our lives together. We pastored for 10 years in Florida. We moved to TN in 2000 to Co-Pastor with some friends of ours. The Lord has given me a fabulous provider whom I love more than any words I write could ever express. He is now the CEO at our denomination's publishing company, Randall House Publications. I am honored to support him.
Our oldest child is named Michael. He is now officially a teenager, although I don't think I'm old enough to have a teenager. He is a very sweet and considerate young man. He is my thinker and my reader. He absorbs every piece of new information that he comes across. He loves playing soccer, riding his bike, skateboarding, reading, watching the History Channel, the Military Channel, ESPN and any documentary on TV. I am privileged to be his Mother.
Lauren is our youngest child. She is just 15 months behind her brother in age. She is wise beyond her years. She has a sharp-witted tongue (which sometimes has to be tamed), a quick sense of humor and a heart for people and animals. She loves organizing anything and everything. She loves being with her friends, singing, talking on her cell phone and playing soccer. I am blessed to be her Mother.
Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier.
- Kathleen Norris
Encouraging words can go a long way in building your home and strengthening the foundation of your relationship.
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver" (Proverbs 25:11).
"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down" (Proverbs 14:1).
"And when he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord" (Acts 11:23-24).
Can those words be said of you? Are you a "good" person, "full of the Holy Spirit and faith" where the Lord can use your life as a vessel to bring others to Himself and cause them to grow closer to the Lord? Are you "wise" -- where you build up those within your house, rather than tearing them down?
It's not a matter of giving false encouragement -- that would do more harm than good. It's looking for the "grace of God" -- evidence where your partner in marriage has done something that is helpful in some way and letting him or her know that you noticed and that it touched your heart in a positive way. Don't lock those points of grace up within your mind without sharing them with your spouse. They could become as "apples of gold in settings of silver" where the spouse who receives them will be blessed that you pay attention and care enough to share words of appreciation.
By doing this, you are addressing their "aloneness." God said that it is "not good for man to be alone." A spouse needs the encouragement of a partner who cares and shares in ways that others might not.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:9-10).
There have been times when my husband Steve has voiced words of appreciation over little things that no one else might acknowledge, and they have addressed needs that I couldn't properly put into words. They have blessed me deeply to know that another human being would take the time to notice.
And there have been times when my heart has been troubled and he has reached over and grieved with me and then asked me if he could pray with me and over me. I can't adequately express how much those times have meant to me -- much as a healing balm. To know that I have a partner that notices and cares enough to connect in such a powerful way, and to pray a prayer of blessing, addressing that which concerns me, is priceless.
So we ask you, "have you encouraged your spouse today?" Even if your spouse hasn't been encouraging to you, don't allow yourself to hold back from being a vessel of grace and appreciation. Remember, "while we were yet sinners" Christ sacrificed his life for us. He didn't wait for us to be the first ones (and maybe the only ones) to lavish us with extravagant love and grace.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, THAT IT MAY BENEFIT THOSE WHO LISTEN. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 4:29 - Ephesians 5:1-2).
Seeing the kids reading their Bibles on their own
Hearing the ocean
Smelling a cake baking
Remembering our wedding day
Singing in the church choir
Shopping for my family
Feeling good
Reading in the tub
A quiet house
Watching a funny movie with the kids
Seeing my kids playing a game together
Ron's little finger dance
Hearing my kids being excited about church
Watching Ron play with Faith (our dog)
Hearing Ron snoring beside me after he has been gone on a long trip
Chatting with special friends
Feeling hot sand under my feet on a beach somewhere
Game night with Brian & Kim and kids
Spending one on one time with Kim
Double Dating With Brian and Kim
A clean house
Sitting on my front porch in my new rockers
Walking on a cool evening with my family
Things I Want To Do Before I Die
Take voice lessons
Lose 100 pounds
Take a yearly vacation with just my girl friends
Break completely free from the strongholds that have a grip on me
Find a hair style that I'm totally happy with
Become a great grandmother
Live on the beach
Drive a racecar on the race track
Learn to swim confidently
Go sky-diving
Learn to knit
Scrapbook our family's life
Build a house with an inground pool
Own my own laptop
Visit Alaska
See the REAL Eiffel Tower
Take a short term family missions trip
Own a black Jaguar X-Type car
Be a REAL wife/mom who cooks/cleans and everything
Have Lasix Surgery
Bungee Jump
