Life is busy, hectic and extremely demanding. If we aren’t careful, we’ll let stuff get in the way and neglect the truly important things/people in our life.
Encouragement goes a long way and usually doesn’t cost a dime.
We are good at encouraging others at work, church and even friends/family but what about our spouses?
Here are 20 things we can do to encourage our spouses:
- Sex/Cuddle – Yep – you knew I was going to go there first. Ladies, nothing has changed since you married your guy. Guys – same for you, we love being held with no expectations of anything else. Having a happy mixture of both of these elements is huge for both husband and wife.
- Encouraging Notes – Leave a note in your spouse’s Bible, lunch box or somewhere that they frequent during the day. It doesn’t have to a long sonnet or poetic, just heart felt. Now, if you are good at writing those amazing poems we sappy spouses love to get, then by all means do so.
- Help – Helping each other around the home puts things into perspective. Ladies, ask for help but don’t complain “how” he does it. Just be thankful he does. Guys offer to help, knowing that we NEED you to and want you to. Ladies, if it’s something high up, ask your guy to help you and then make a cute comment about the “view” right in front of you.
- Do little Things for him/her – Make their coffee for them, if you are fixing yourself something to drink, ask if they want something. Pick up their favorite treat next time you are at the store.
- Support their dreams and inspire them to reach their goals.
- Have a lunch date at work.
- Make their favorite dessert.
- Find something new that you both love to do and enjoy it together
- Be kind and affectionate – a little kindness goes a long way. Speak kindly of and to your spouse. Hold hands, kiss goodnight.
- Show Gratitude as often as you can for all that you can
- Ask him/her out – I still get all kinds of giddy when the Mr. calls me up and asks me out on a date. I know he has planned it and all I have to do is show up.
- Pray for him/her and let them know you are doing so
- Communicate better – Ladies, your guy isn’t a mind reader. Guys, your lady needs to hear and be reminded of the love you hold for her in your heart.
- Do nothing together – Seriously, having some down time together, just chatting and doing nothing for a little bit is super refreshing
- Compliment them on a job well done – you never know what a kind word will spark
- Send a sweet text – one of the other contributors created some texts that you can use to send to your sweetheart. Check it out here
- Laugh together – Watch funny videos or movies, but do something that will make you laugh together
- Love Unconditionally – love BIG and unconditionally. In doing so, you’ll be teaching your children what to look for in a spouse
- Give them a note listing some of the things you love about them. The Mr. and I was having a bit of a rough patch and for a while all I could see was what he didn’t do anymore. I took the list of those things, turned in around into what I loved that he use to do and gave it to him on nice cardstock and laminated. He thought I had purchased it until he got down to the part about how I loved the fact he wears cologne just for me. He prefers not to wear it, but knows I love it. This prompted him to start doing some of the things I truly treasure. To encourage you, he graciously allowed me to publish that here. The Priceless Things I love about you.
- Say I love you – often and then show them.
How do you encourage your spouse?
What would you include?
Is there anything special that your spouse does for you that you want to share?
For me – the Mr. always keeps a check on my gas in my car. He knows that I hate pumping gas, so a few times a week he will check the fuel gage on my car and if it needs it, he will take it and fill it up for me.
If he has been busy, all I have to do is ask and he’ll do it. It’s HUGE to me that he does this.
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I try to genuinely thank my husband for at least two things every day.
That is awesome! Gratitude can never be expressed enough, especially between couples!
thank you for stopping by!
Marie recently posted..Clearly See
Thanks for the awesome reminder to uplift our spouse each day!
Congratulations – you are one of our Featured Guests at this week’s Inspire Me Monday Party – Week 139 – at Create With Joy!
Create With Joy recently posted..Inspire Me Monday – Week 139
yay and thank you so much!! praying it encourages many couples.
Marie recently posted..Clearly See
Really great post, Marie!!! One I would add is
Look him in the eyes
It just shows you care, you are engaged and he will see the love shining there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Shelly Hendricks (@Renewed_Daily) recently posted..Just One Song (a Giveaway!) Yay!
Love this! Such a simple yet important way to encourage!
thanks Shelly
marie recently posted..When Trouble Finds Me
I praise him in front of our children!
I make it a point to verbalize to the children how much I love their father. I make know: how proud I am of him, how he works hard to provide for us (especially if he has to leave home for work…we are a military family), I acknowledge how loved he makes me feel, and how he makes time with us a priority. I feel it’s important to affirm to my children. Maybe it will help them choose the same qualities/characteristics in a future spouse.
Amanda G. recently posted..Where Treetops Glisten| Book Review & More
Thanks Amanda! this is so true! loving him in front of the kids will be remembered long after you’ve forgotten that you just do it.
marie recently posted..When Trouble Finds Me
What a great article, Marie! I loved number 5! It is so important for us to be able to encourage our spouses and promote their dreams with them.
Kelly @RaisingSamuels recently posted..The Busy Life of a Stay at Home Mom
True – we get so wrapped up in our own little worlds and dreams we forget that our spouse dreams too!
Love this list. 🙂
I pray for him, and when he wants to talk to me, I try to drop everything to do it. I am still learning on this, but it encourages him a lot.
Jenn recently posted..Number five: Offer a hand
We spend time together each evening doing a recap of the day, and I greet him positively as soon as he comes through the door. It’s amazing how that little thing can set the tone for the evening.
Deb Wolf recently posted..Good Character Quotes
@Jenn – praying for him truly helps doesn’t it? those that we love the most, we often pray for the most. draws us closer.
@deb a positive little thing like that really makes for a great evening! recapping the day together, making new memories – great things that will last a life time!
thanks for adding to this post yall
HUGS
Marie
Spreading Joy recently posted..Just One is Larger than You Can Imagine
Great ideas and a reminder to appreciate and love your spouse. #17 is my favorite. Laughing is contagious and relieves stress.
Amy Dowling recently posted..TruckShop, A Mobile Boutique
Love this list. There are so many little things we can do to encourage our spouses. It’s amazing how quickly we take each other for granted and stop trying.
Marissa
I Love to ask my husband what he wants and what I can do to encourage him. Then I try to do those things for him. I love your comprehensive list!
–Gena
My husband is super thoughtful, and he always takes night duty if the kids wake up- especially if I’m pregnant or nursing.
Jelli recently posted..The BEST Bagel Recipe Ever!
You know what? I have been looking for practical ways to bless my husband. These tips are right on point. Thank you for this.
Matilda recently posted..WHY SHE WALKED AWAY FROM MARRIAGE
Good tips to show your spouse how much they mean to you and have some fun too.
Mary Collins recently posted..Marvelous Mondays for Free Books–August 3, 2015
I do all of these things and sometimes I’ll send him a text at work thanking him for working and being a good provider. I’ll text him occasionally at work also to let him know he’s prayed for. 🙂
Melanie Pickett recently posted..Faith Like Fireflies
Great list. I love it that my husband calls/texts to ask if I need anything when he’s on his way home. So sweet.
Brandi @ penguinsinpink recently posted..This Is Not A Test And Giveaway
and they say that praying helps too 😀
andi recently posted..Tunes Tuesday Throwback – You Are Worthy Of My Praise
These are so wonderful! I particularly like the one about communicating better and laughing together!
Jonathan Key recently posted..Welcome & Introduction [Day 0 of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog from Problogger]
All great ideas! I am a words of affirmation person so I love giving/receiving notes 🙂
Caroline @ In Due Time recently posted..Memory Monday – Week 101
I love your list. I especially like the do nothing one. Lol, our life is crazy so having an opportunity to sit together and do nothing would be amazing!
GinaB @ Mirror Watching recently posted..You Are Invited To The FitFaith Link Up
@amy – thank you and yes – I love laughing with the Mr. We can be so silly together and those memories are often the most fun!
@Marissa thank you! Many just quit putting effort into the day. I agree.
@Gena – so simple isn’t it… We need to ask what will encourage you the most. We just might be surprised.
@Jelli – Ohhh the Mr. Did that for me. When the kids would cry, he would change them and bring them to me and I would feed them. Was a great way for him to bond and then for me to bond. Love that.
@Matilda – thank you for the smile!! I love easy and practical. Would love to know if you have any to add to this list!
@Mary – Thank Mary! Gotta mix in some Fun with the crazy.
@Melanie – That is a good idea. We just assume they know they are being prayed for but I do the same. and sometimes he will say – I thought so because it was just working out way too well today. 🙂 makes me smile when that happens.
@Brandi – the Mr. does this for me too!! He is super thoughtful in this area!!
@Andi – prayer is first and foremost!!
@Jonathan – too often we assume and well, you know what that does
@Caroline – I use to work out of town and would only be home on the weekends and would leave notes for him to find during the week.
@Gina we feel the same. we rarely do it but we love to just sit outside or on the couch and just chat.
Thanks for the joy you’ve brought our way today!