Happy Valentine’s Day all! Love is everywhere!
In honour of today’s date, I would like to share with you another Simple Ways to Serve – this time Serving Your Husband! Because REAL LOVE serves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
(Philippians 2:3-4 ESV)
1. Do something for him you know he likes – and when he’s least expecting it. Give him a shoulder massage while he’s sitting, or make him his favourite meal or dessert. Want to take it to the next level? Do something for him he likes, but you don’t really like to do. Go see an action movie with him (not a problem for me though, I LOVE action films :D), give him the massage (it’s a sacrifice for me, but I want to serve him and I know he appreciates it!), put away his laundry, tidy up his desk, tackle one of the jobs you’ve been waiting for him to do.
2. Make him lunch. This is something I really don’t like doing, and I’m glad our kids are at home so I don’t have to make lunches in advance! But I know my hubby appreciates it when I make him a lunch. Not only will you be saving him time from having to run out to grab something, and money, you’ll be ensuring your hubby is well (and healthily!) fed :0)
3. Write him an encouraging note or Scripture and put in his lunch for him to find. I used to do this more often, but have somewhat forgotten about it with the busyness of life lately. I didn’t think much of doing it until my sister-in-law (who works with my hubby – it’s a family business :D) told me he has some of the heart sticky notes from his lunches all over his desk at the office. Words of encouragement and love aren’t always things our husbands receive throughout the day. If you think your day is difficult, think about how much you would appreciate a note or reminder of love mid-day.
4. Let him lead, and submit to his leadership! I had a difficult time with this when we first got married. But my husband lovingly nursed me along the way and by God’s grace I LOVE to submit to his leadership now!
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
(Colossians 3:18 ESV)
If you’re not sure about a decision to make, talk with him about it, ask for his help/input, and REALLY listen, being willing to submit to his suggestions. What our husbands really need from us, more than our love, is our submission.
5. Pray FOR him and WITH him. When I did the 31 Days to Pray for Your Spouse challenge, I found myself changing more than anything – and within that change came a change in him and our relationship – for the best! If you want to serve your husband, bring your thoughts and concerns before the Lord, praying for his life to be centered on the only One who can sustain us. Pray WITH your husband too – nothing draws a husband and wife closer together than time spent in prayer.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
(Hebrews 10:24 ESV)
6. Make time for him! Put that ever-important blog post on hold and spend some time connecting with your husband. Push aside the end-of-day chores to talk about your day together. When he comes around for a hug or kiss, don’t cut it short and hurry back to whatever you were previously doing – this is where I really struggle! Being too “busy” to stop and let him love on me, and love him back. The laundry and dinner prep aren’t going to go anywhere, so stop and love him!
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
(Romans 12:10 ESV)
7. Dress to impress. I started doing the Get Dressed Challenge with Sarah Mae a few months back, and it was a LOT of fun to choose some outfits for each day, accessorize with earrings, necklace, scarf, even shoes, put on some makeup, doing my hair – all for the sake of dressing to impress my husband – both before he left for work and when he arrived home. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just get out of those sweats and casual pants, put some thought into your clothes and appearance, and woo your hubby! If you’re not sure where to start with your clothes, there are some fantastic books out there for how to dress well! Check out Good Girls Don’t Have To Dress Bad and The No Brainer Wardrobe.
8. Date your hubby! Call up a babysitter if you have kids, and start planning a fun date night for you and your husband! I’m sure he’d be thrilled to have a surprise date planned just him. The Dating Divas has GREAT ideas for themes!
9. Smile. A simple smile, even when things are difficult or you’re tired, can bring a lot of light and love into your hubby’s life (especially after a hard day at work!) Greet him at the door when he comes home – in fact, RUN to meet him!
10. Ask him how you can serve him better. If you’re stuck and don’t know just what else you can do to serve your husband, ASK HIM. And ask him frequently.
When you grow in serving your husband, you will grow in love for him. And as a bonus, you’ll be setting an example for others of how to serve!