NYC here I come!!!!

Bags are packed and I'm ready to go!

My husband has to go to NYC on business this weekend and since he is driving in I'm going with him. I love the city...it looks like rain so I don't know how much of it I'll get to see. And I'll miss walking through central park! But I get to stay in a hotel and relax!!! See you all on Monday!

I'll leave you with this thought.....I came across it several years ago...I do not know the author....

A Wife is Called To Respect Her Husband

We are called to respect because of a husbands position, and we’ll want to respect him because of his proven character.

· Respecting a man doesn’t sound like condemnation in your voice.
· Respecting your husband isn’t interrupting him.
· Respecting your husband isn’t reacting in anger or withdrawing in anger.
· Respecting your husband is honoring his requests.
· Respecting your husband isn’t contradicting him in public—let him tell his story his way –whether it’s right or wrong.
· Respecting your husband isn’t putting a yardstick up next to him.
· Respecting your husband isn’t bringing up his faults.
· Respecting your husband is tested when he fails.

Your man wants to know that he’s your hero. Be aware of the vulnerability of your husband’s fear of failure, whether perceived or actual. If a man thinks he has disappointed his wife or is unhappy, he feels like a failure. Let your husband know that he’s not a failure. Let him know that you believe in him. Let him know that despite the circumstances in your family that he is your hero and that you are behind him.

Your happiness isn’t dependent on what he does or doesn’t do. If it is, then it’s misplaced and it’s time for you to spend some time at the Cross and with other girlfriends to see what resides within your soul.

In spite of the level of maturity of your husband, you, as a wife, has to have to the attitude that this man is your king. You have to start looking at him and treating him like the king. In time, he’ll see you as his queen.

A long time ago, Michael and I woke up in the morning saying, him to me “Good morning my Queen”, and me to him “Good morning my King.” It wasn't something cute we said when we awoke, it was and is how we view each other.

My husband is my king. I work on seeing him like that. I found a coffee cup that says, “It’s good to be King” and gave it to him, because I wanted to make that statement to him.

Words of appreciation (even if it’s not his love language) are very important to all men. They need to be appreciated. Find the little things your husband does to let him know that it means a lot to you.

Your man desperately needs to be respected. This respect isn’t because he has “earned” it, it’s because God says to give it to him. Show him respect by getting off the phone when he walks in the door. Greet your man as if he were worthy of that respect, not because you “feel” it, but because God said he IS worthy of it . Be aware of putting your husband down in public. Be conscious of facial inflections when he says something that, in your opinion sounds stupid.

If you are victim of constant criticisms, duck so God can deal with him. Meanwhile do your part, which is to show respect and appreciation. Ask yourself if you’re fulfilling your part. Begin to treat your husband with dignity, in spite of how he treats you.

Treat him the way that you’d want to be treated. Your power of influence can be an instrument of change in his life. You and God working together are a powerful team.

Titus 2: 3 – 5 says the older woman is to teach the young woman how to love her husband. The kind of love in that passage is fondness. It’s sad, but I don’t see too many examples of that love in older married folks.

So, you be the one to begin and model it. Your man needs to hear the words, “I love you.” The way he receives love is through feeling respected. Don’t be a nag. Stop kvetching ( Yiddish for complaining ). Don’t resort to a default posture of yelling at your husband. A gentle answer, according to Proverbs 15:1 has power to turn anger aside. Speak softly not in harshness to your man. He needs that. Your man needs to be showered with kindness—if you don’t some other woman will.

When men feel threatened or ashamed they tend to hide. Adam hid (Genesis 3:9-10). Being a friend to your husband means recognizing, understanding, and helping him avoid threats. Definitely, at any cost, do not become a threat.

Being a friend means using words that don’t shame. It means man’s best friend, his wife, must be proven trustworthy. Guard his secrets. Keep yourself above reproach in speech and demeanor. Don’t re-tell his story in public. Protect his heart.

Be his lover, his friend—his darling companion.