When I was little I remember decorating that shoebox for all of my friends to drop their valentines in at school. As I got older I couldn't wait to have that special valentine... roses and chocolates and gifts Oh my! Well little did I know, what I would want the most was actually none of those things.
Jim and I celebrated our very first Valentines Day together at Disneyland. It was the perfect date. He surprised me with a ruby heart necklace ~ it was beautiful and I loved it! The following year we were happily married. We had been married for about a month and a half when Jim was sent overseas for a very long six months! So needless to say, it was a very lonely and sad Valentines Day that year. But 15 years later I am still spending every Valentines day with the love of my life. Every Valentine's Day he gives me something ... it's the one thing I absolutely love.. a card! I have saved every card he has given me since we started dating. Now don't get me wrong, roses and chocolates are nice and I love receiving special gifts but there's just something about his cards/words. Plus, I like getting all those other things on an unexpected day. The one thing I cherish more than anything is to just spend time with him. Whether it's just sitting on the couch talking and laughing, on a date, at soccer practice or just riding in the car talking... I cherish every minute of it. I was watching all of the people in the store yesterday buying those last minute cards and gifts and thought to myself, you know everyday should be Valentines day! Some people laugh at us sometimes, but Jim and I always find time throughout the day to remind each other that "I Love You MORE" ~ I am so blessed to have a husband who loves me unconditionally. Yes, I am a wee bit older than he is (and he likes to remind me of that) and yes, I have a few wrinkles and definitely look different since that first date, but he still loves me. He is amazing and wonderful! I am blessed to have a husband who loves us, protects us and is the spiritual leader of our home! I am thankful that he is always encouraging me and making me laugh. I am thankful that God and prayer is and will always be the foundation of our family. It's no surprise that marriage is under tremendous attack these days. I want the Lord's blessing and protection on my husband everyday. I think it is vital that we pray very specifically for our spouse and shower him with those prayers EVERYDAY. I came across something a few weeks ago that I thought was awesome. It is something I have started and will continue to do...
31 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR YOUR HUSBAND:
1st: That he would become a holy man, a man of prayer, mature in the Lord, growing in his knowledge of the Lord. I Thes 5:23, Col 4:12, Eph 1:18-19, 3:16-19, 6:18.
2nd: That he would grow into a man of integrity, who works righteousness, speaks truth in his heart, does not slander, does no evil, does not take up reproach against friends, honors those who fear the Lord. Ps 15
3rd: That he would be a man of contentment. Prov 15:16, Phil 4:11, I Tim 6:6-8, and Heb 13:5.
4th: That he would learn to take every thought captive, to not be conformed to the world's thinking, and to think scripturally. Rom 12:2, II Cor 10:5.
5th: That he would daily seek God with all his heart, walking in the Spirit moment by moment, growing in his dependence on Him. Psalm 119:1-2, Prov 3:5-6.
6th: That he would ever be captivated by my love. Prov 5:18-19.
7th: That he would be a man of courage. Deut 31:6, II Chron 19:11.
8th: That the Lord would give him wisdom to lead his family physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Eph 1:17-19
9th: That he would always look at the plank in his own eye before seeing others' sawdust.
Matt 7:3
10th: That he would become a called man, not driven, with well thought through and prayed through goals in life. I Cor 9:24-27
11th: That he would be a man of prayer, guarding his heart and mind, puting into practice what he has heard, seen, and learned. Phil 4:4-9
12th: That he would stand firm against the schemes of the devil and resist Satan in all circumstances. Eph 6:10-18, James 4:7
13th: That he would grow in spiritual maturity by putting away childish things, cultivating, understanding, striving after the Christ ideal, partaking of the deeper truths of the gospel and overcoming daily temptation. I Cor 13:11, 14:20, Eph 4:13, Heb 5:14, I John 2:14
14th: That he would be cleansed by the word. Eph 5:26
15th: That he would learn to not depend on his circumstances for happiness but on God alone. Heb 3:17-19
16th: That he would be a man prepared for spiritual warfare. Eph 6:11-12, I Thes 5:8
17th: That he would have new strength in the midst of his busy schedule, and that the Lord might infuse him with His strength. Is 40:31, Eph 3:14-19
18th: That he would have a burden to see lost people come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Matt 28:12-20
19th: That he would be kept from strange women and evil men, and that his friends would be men and women who walk with God. Prov 13:20
20th: That his self-image would be a reflection of the Lord's thoughts toward him. Eph 1:17-19, Rom 12:3, Psalm 139
21st: That he would be a man responsible for family spiritual growth. Prov 4:1-14
22nd: That he would not be deceived into unbelief, sin, or bitterness. Matt 13:8-10
23rd: That he would learn to love as God has commanded. I Cor 13:4-7, Rom 12:8-10, Eph 5:25
24th: That the fruit of the Spirit would be exhibited more and more in his life. Gal 5:22-23
25th: That he would grow in humility and in being a shepherd. I Pet 5:2-6
26th: That he might grow daily in character. II Pet 1:5-8
27th: That he might keep a clear conscience. I Pet 3:16-18
28th: That the Lord would protect him, guarding his course. Prov 2:8
29th: That he would manage his time well. Eph 5:15
30th: That the Lord would put a song in his heart. Psalm 33:3, 40:3, Job 35:10
31st: That he would have a holy fear of God. Psalm 34:11, 111:10, Prov 9:10
Green Eggs and Ham
