25 Days of Praise

Week 3 has arrived folks!  How have things been going for you?  Personally I've had a good time with this challenge.  Our marriage keeps getting better and better.

I'll let Courtney describe week 3 here in a moment.  I don't think her post this week will hit until tomorrow or the next day - and hopefully with the blizzard headed our way, we won't get a loss of Internet service!  So - in anticipation - I'm going to go ahead and post what Courtney said now.


I'll say this - week 3 - is supposed to be the opposite of the blizzard headed our way! 

Okay, okay - here's Courtney's description:

Week 3 February 2nd - Pursue intimacy and place the intimate needs of your spouse above your own. Seek to "kiss him like you mean it" every single day this week! Solomon 5:16 says "His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely." Paula Rinehart says that for many men, "Sex is like a silent cheer." Our men feel stronger, more capable, and built up when we respond to their advances with a smile. "Be available, agreeable and interested" (~Linda Dillow) Give a Foot massage, back rub, shower together, be creative!

Oh that Solomon.  That bible book can turn me a million shades of red.  I will say this ladies.  Our men, or most men, speak a different love language than us ladies.  I would venture to guess that intimacy is the language most men speak.  A mistake I made early in marriage is thinking intimacy was all about me.  I don't blame myself for this - keeping in mind my background (read "Beautiful Past") - intimacy was a place where I needed a lot of healing.  It was NOT my primary love language - and it still isn't.  But it was, is and will always be the language my husband understands the most.

Let me encourage you in another way as well.  I, for one, hate the way I look at this moment in my life.  I am at my heaviest,  I don't feel good about my physical self.  But, the amazing thing is?  I don't think my guy minds.  He tells me all the time he finds me attractive.  Half the time I think he must be telling me an untruth - but he swears he's not.  My point is this.  It doesn't matter what you look like - unless your husband needs a good knock upside the head - he finds you attractive and he loves you just the way you are.  Let it go.  Accept yourself where you are right now - and don't let it get in the way in this area.

Okay, one more thing (for having nothing to say, I'm finding a lot to say!).  I said above it's not all about me.  It's not.  I'm not always - and not usually - "in the mood".  The kids tire me out and when I'm tired, the last thing I want to do is make time for intimacy.  Plus, after having been touched, grabbed at, tackled (14 year old son who shows his affection by playing physically), demanded from, all day long - being a Mom - it's hard to set that aside.  I understand that.  I'm learning, though, as I get older and our marriage grows stronger and stronger - that he needs me to be "in the mood".  It's how he understands how much I love him.  It's how he feels loved by me.  If I expect him to communicate his love to me via helping out around the house (insert how you feel loved) - then I need to be willing to communicate in a way he understands.
So :)  Have fun and if Courtney posts anymore - I'll pass it along.