I haven't blogged in a while about my 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge: 

This is the challenge:

"You can't say anything negative about your husband....to your husband...or to anyone else, about your husband.  "Each day, say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband...to your husband...and to someone else, about your husband."

Check it out for yourself at www.reviveourhearts.com.

As I am reflecting back over the last 30 days and preparing for another 30 days... I am looking at the most difficult days

...Day 9... "...be swift to hear, slow to speak..."  James 1:19b.

Sometimes I get so wrapped in what I am doing I just comment - negatively or positively - without even thinking.  I really need to listen and to "hear" my husband's heart.  I pray that I will hear the Lord's admonition: "Be swift to hear."

....Day Twenty-one:  "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33.  Am I remembering that everything I think, do and say should be seen from an eternal perspective?  Someday I will give an account for my failure to speak words of love and encouragment. 

Day twelve:  "With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love."  Eph 4:2 

Do I sometimes get disillusioned because of my own unreasonable or unrealistic expectations (Prov. 13:12)?  I must remember that my expectations must be met in God alone and then I will have the right perspective to ask God for the grace I need to respond to others.

Mostly through this challenge,  I have remembered and reaffirmed how wonderful my husband is!  He is a servant to our family, he is considerate of my needs and the needs of the whole family, he is a very hard worker, he is diligent and resourceful, he is faithful and loyal, he is handsome and strong, kind and compassionate, he has great integrity, he is respectable, he is attractive, he is honest, he communicates with me, he has a vision for our home, he is walking with God, he has a playful side and a good sense of humor, he is unique, he has an eternal perspective on life, he is persistent and organized, he is leader in our home and a wonderful father, he shows our children love and encourages them, he spends time with them everyday, he takes an interests in their activities and takes a part in developing their character, he turns his back to wickedness and he is my best friend.

Now looking over a list like this....how could I say discouraging words.