An Encouraging Read

"We want the opportunity to come into your home with our beautiful, printed magazine that is rich with encouragement and ideas that work, with our books and audios, that will give you a boost and the strength for tomorrow. I want TEACH to be your teammate who cheers you on and inspires you to keep on keeping on." Laurie Flem

Laurie shared this sentiment in the most recent issue of TEACH magazine. And, for me anyway, this is exactly what TEACH is, a teammate that cheers me on and inspires me. Teach is always greatly anticipated, and quickly read ~ except the last issue which mysteriously disappeared before I got it completely read! However, I did get this most current issue read, and it's definitely a keeper!

The Spring 2009 issue of TEACH magazine is all about "Marriages Made Marvelous". It's full of wonderful articles that have lots of practical application. Articles that will make you laugh, make you nod your head in agreement, prick your heart with conviction, and articles that will make you cry.

I don't usually write my TEACH reviews on this blog, but because their focus was marriage, I decided to share about this wonderful magazine with you. What a wonderful resource to have, especially if you are struggling in your marriage. But even if you aren't, the articles in this issue are full of good reminders. For instance, Bonita Lillie reminds us that our security isn't found in our imperfect husbands, but our hope is in God; and when we remember that, and place our fears and lives in the hands of our heavenly Father, we are free to respect our husband.

Christina Shadbolt shares 8 ideas that are marriage builders, one of which was "know yourself". Part of this would be knowing what sets you off when you are tired or grumpy (which usually happens when you're tired), and working your schedule or surroundings so that you avoid those triggers. Check out TEACH to find the other 7 ideas.

Those are just two of the wonderful articles found within the Spring issue of TEACH. There are several more to encourage you as a wife, and some great articles to encourage you as a Mama as well! TEACH truely is a gem, and I'm so thankful that I found it! I would encourage you to check them out, and get a little encouragement today. You can find them at: http://www.TEACHmagazine.com/

Am I Willing to be Quiet?

Apparently, since I haven't posted in a month, the answer would be yes. :-) Only, that's not what I'm talking about. HA!

We are going through the Love and Respect DVD series right now. This is great! I highly recommend this study. Much of what is taught God has been showing me over the last several years, so as far as my relationship with my husband, nothing dramatic has happened because of this study, although there have been some things that I hadn't given too much thought to before. But. It has given me some new perspective and insight into my sons.

One of the things Dr. Eggerichs (I probably spelled that wrong!) talks about is the difference(s) between men and women. And the difference that I am talking about here is this~ women like to talk; men, not so much. :-) When women are together, they will chatter and carry on a conversation and go into details and rabbit trail and get back to the point, and rabbit trail some more, and loop back to the point, etc. Men will do things together, but not necessarily talk very much. Women like details, men like basics.

Husbands get energized by their wife just being there with them ~ side by side ~ without us talking to them, but just being with them.

This is an area where I do need some work. I always have sooo much to say! ;-) But, I want my Beloved to have his needs met as well, and sometimes that means that I am just willing to sit and watch him while he works on something. If he's working on the van, maybe I just sit and hand him tools as he needs them. Or hand him nails while he's building something. Or whatever, except not talk his ear off.

The other revelation I have had with this whole being quiet is in spending time with my sons. Often when one of them will go to town with me, we don't say much. I might try to carry on a conversation with them, but often I get grunts or one word answers. So we usually have pretty quiet trips. I have always felt like I was failing in some respect because we didn't have deep, meaningful conversations while we were just one on one. But now, I can see that it is not wasted time. That very likely it is a great time for my sons, to just be with me and not have to talk. That those times pave the way for when they are ready to sit and have a conversation ~ and we do have some pretty good conversations ~ just not as often as I would like.

So, let me encourage you today. Take some time, and just sit "shoulder to shoulder" with your man. Let him watch TV, or read, or go sit in the woods with him, or whatever he wants to do. And be willing to do it quietly. You may be blown away by how meaningful it is to him.