Thankful!

With Thanksgiving coming up - I want to challenge us all (myself included) to take the time to really communicate with our husband why we are thankful for them. Some days this can be easy but other days, not so much. Yet, if we made out a somewhat exhaustive list of all we are thankful for, I know it would encourage our husbands specifically and it would also be a tool we can reflect upon on during the difficult times. Simply because we have a disagreement does not mean that has to negate from all that he is and all that I am thankful for. At times, that is a hard connection for me to make.

To get our minds going, I am going to start my list here and then continue to work on it, in the form of a letter, over the next few days so that I can give it to my husband on Thanksgiving... I would love to hear what might be on your list!!!   

I am thankful for my husband because...

• He loves Jesus Christ with all of his heart.
• He is a man of prayer.
• He knows the Word of God and often brings in into conversations with me, our children, and others.
• He gives his time and money to serve those inside and outside of the church.
• He puts his family first.
• He has a heart for others.
• He has a heart for children.
• He invests in those around us: our family, our neighbors, and his co-workers.
• He is humble and does not talk about his service, his giving, his accomplishments, or his talents.
• He does not view himself greater than others - in fact one of his nurses told me he empties bed pans at the hospital which she has never seen a doctor do- Jason has never mentioned to me he does this.
• He is talented and uses those talents for God's glory.
• He enjoys the theater - both performing and watching.
• He is musical - plays the piano, drums, guitar, ukulele, harmonica and he writes his own music.
• With his musical talents he leads our family in worship times and serves in church.
•  He has written and performed songs for me.
• His singing voice is wonderful - and his speaking voice is my favorite sound in the world.
• He is fluent in Spanish and has a heart for Latin communities.
• He loves mission trips.
• He worked hard through college, medical school, and residency.
• He financially provides for his family.
• He is intelligent in both book knowledge and common sense knowledge.
• He is a good sounding board for me and always gives me great advice.
• He is athletic - is talented in many sports, does a great job running around and playing with our children, and is in great shape.
• He enjoys watching sports and gets passionate about his team.
• He enjoys working out.
• He is healthy and reminds our family to eat our vegetables.
• He doesn't smoke, drink, or curse.
• He is kind, gentle, understanding, and patient.
• He has never raised his voice at me.
• He listens to me.
• He encourages me.
• He gives me credit and praise.
• He is honest and a man of integrity.
• He follows through.
• He is faithful to his wedding vows.
• I trust him completely!
• He forgives me.
• He is a kind, playful, and involved father.
• He is the spiritual leader of the house.
• He leads us in devotions and teaches us about prayer.
• He doesn't allow attending church to be optional.
• He doesn't sugar coat or excuse the sin in his own life.
• He has an accountability partner he meets with regularly.
• He is a part of a men's Bible study.
• He supports my involvement in ministries.
• He lovingly corrects me if I am sinning.
• He disciplines our children in love and does not punish them.
• He makes himself available to our children.
• He gives us (the children and I) quality time.
• He uses words of affirmation.
• He gives us gifts.
• He serves us.
• He is generous with hugs and kisses to both the children and I.
• He praises me in front of the children and won't let them be disrespectful towards me.
• He says, "please" and "thank you"
• He gets up in the middle of the night to help with feedings, diaper changes, or to take the dog out.
• He encourages me in my role as a wife and mother.
• He holds me when I'm sad.
• He kisses me good morning and good night.
• He is incredible at love making!
• He calls and texts me throughout the day.
• He is funny and can make me laugh until I cry.
• He is great at impressions.
• He will watch chick-flicks with me.
• He is careful about what he watches and won't watch shows/movies with crude humor or sexual content.
• He desires our computers and cell phones to have strong internet filters to avoid temptations.
• He tries to share his heart with me even though he doesn't always feel comfortable doing so.
• He never minds that I always want to talk his ear off.
• He is skilled in wood working, painting, and home repairs.
• He enjoys playing games.
• He takes me out on dates.
• He pursues me.
• He romances me.
• He brings me junk food home as a special treat (food is my love language).
• He talks about our future.
• He daily speaks of his commitment to me.
• He helps out around the house.
• He will gladly take all three children out of the house so I can rest.
• He doesn't actively pursue hobbies or get together with the guys - even though I know he would like to - because he wants to invest in his family first.
• He apologizes when he hurts my feelings.
• He desires to grow in his faith and learn more about the Lord every day.
• He is known at his work for his faith.
• He is a good son, brother, uncle, and friend.
• He is respectful.
• He helps me keep the "big picture" in mind - something I am not naturally good at.
• He is my safe place.
• He encourages me when I'm sad about my physical appearance.
• He commutes over an hour each way to work so that we can be plugged into an amazing church.
• He looks through my scrapbooks with enthusiasm.
• He lets me be silly.
• He lets me be sad.
• He is handsome.
• I love his height, his eyes, his arms, his hands, his legs, his abs, his bottom :), his mouth, his nose, and especially his ears.
• He smells good.
• He tastes good.
• He isn't perfect, but he doesn't tolerate apathy in our marriage or in  his spiritual life.
• He is ambitious.
• He sets lofty goals.
• He opens doors for me.
• He surprises me.
• He is my best friend.
• He is the best daddy for our children.
• He is the leader of our home, but desires my input.
• He respects my opinions - even when they differ from his.
• He does a great job choosing to let things go in our marriage that I tend to dwell on.
• He is a great example to me.
• His personality is opposite of mine - which at times can be challenging- but overall, I am thankful for it because I need more of his personality in my life.

As you can see, once you get started, it is hard to stop! Still now, my mind is racing with other things about my husband I can list and which of the above I can expound upon. I didn't start out typing this in a very romantic mood, but now, I simply want to run down and give my husband a giant hug! Perhaps I will... :) Enjoy making your list for your beloved husband!!!!