I was brewin' a thought process the other day and I realized that I haven't done a post about thrifty things you can do for your husband in a long, long time. It's a really good thing for me to circle back to because it's so easy to fall into the trap that investing in our marriage means spending a good chunk of change.
There is SO MUCH I can do that costs me only grit and time.
#1 ~ Clean up the yard.
The Rugged Mountain Man pulls up our driveway and right away, sees what needs to be done, just as I sometimes let out a long sigh of frustration when I return home from an afternoon of errands to disorder and disarray. Today, while I chatted on the phone with my sister, I luxuriated in the sunshine and 44 degree weather while simultaneously picking up old peanut butter jars, yogurt containers, random trash that blows through here, and some larger sticks. There are frisbees, dog toys, and miscellaneous homestead tools to be put away too. Maybe he'll notice; maybe he won't. Either way, it'll lighten his mental load.
#2 ~ Sit by him.
The older we get, the more spread thin, and the faster the schedules become, I realize that we can't take physical proximity for granted. It doesn't automatically happen like it did while we were dating. There's something to be said for sitting together, leaning against one another, and remembering that those moments are special... even if you're just working on the grocery order while you're both watching the Olympics.
Physical proximity seems to naturally lead to more affection. It's like it wakes us up out of the blinding, grinding stupor of everyday life. It leads to more casual shoulder touches, smiles, and flirty casual moments too.
Start out the evening with a gentle, "Will you sit by me for a bit?"
#3 ~ De-escalate, especially in the evenings.
This is a skill that doesn't come naturally to me at 8:00 pm. The Rugged Mountain Man does not always get to see me in my freshest Mary Poppins mom moments; instead, he often sees the end of the day when it takes all I've got to help the Younger Blossoms resolve some bickering. Out of frustration, I give in, amp up the frustrations, and worsen the situation.
The right thing to do, of course, is a calm answer and patient instruction or firm consequences... not my personal venting.
It's interesting that the right thing to do, per the Word, is also a blessing to my husband. I know need to work on this, but it is one thing I can do to bless him this week.
Preserving and building a good marriage doesn't follow a formula that guarantees the desired results, friend, but this is what I can do on my end to be a blessing, to act out what the Lord is working in my heart.
More thoughts on investing in each other under the Marriage label.
Pics are from one of our nicer dates, but remember that the inexpensive ones are just as important (and usually more frequent!)
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