If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say...

Our spring Bible study is underway. Our group is doing "For Women Only" which is an insightful study into the minds of our men and how to apply that knowledge biblically. The lesson this week was based on Ephesians 5:22 which says wives, respect your husbands. Husbands, love your wives. Each week also comes with a challenge. This week we were to not say anything disrespectul to or about our husbands. Since I fall under the category of control freak, it is hard not to question someone's judgment or come up with a "better" solution. I knew that if I succeeded this week, it would only happen with God's help. I am sincere in wanting a better relationship with my husband, and since God knows best, I figured I'd give His way a try. With the exception of one slip-up when my husband came at the kitchen sink with a caulk gun, I did pretty good. By the end of the week I was not even biting the insides of my cheeks bloody. According to our study, the cycle goes like this: when the man feels respected, he shows more love. When the woman feels loved, she shows more respect. Or, the cycle can go like this: feeling disrespected leads to not showing love which leads to acting disrespectful which leads to not showing love. I did not tell my husband that I was trying not to say anything disrespectful, but my actions had results. We actually talked a lot. He would come looking for me to tell me stuff. We even made a family trip to the store and out to eat, instead of spending the weekend in different rooms. Actions speak louder than words, but sometimes no words speak loudest of all. Next week's challenge is to find something good, praiseworthy, honorable, or likeable about him each day and tell him. Shouldn't be too hard. I am married to a really good guy.