Because of YOU

December 30, 2012 by 9 Comments

 

 

What I’ve learned from you cannot be expressed in mear words and my heart can’t adequately describe for you the gift you’ve been.

.

I’ve grown, changed and will never be the same because of you.

 

You’ve changed the way I think, the way I see things, and the way I love.

You’ve changed how I pray, how I teach and how I learn.

You’ve changed how I trust, how I commit and how I act.

You’ve changed the way I approach each and every day.

 

Thank you.

 

You’ve shared tears of joy, agony of pain and laughter of love.

You’ve shared new adventures, new problems and new solutions.

You’ve shared milestones, memories and a peek into the heart of tomorrow.

 

Thank you.

 

 

You’ve brought new treasures, secured old treasures and allowed painful memories to turn into smiles.

You’ve brought great questions as well as answers that I would have never even imagined.

You’ve brought great joy and hope as well as the reminder of a brighter tomorrow.

 

Thank you.

 

You’ve made me adaptable, determined and curious for what awaits me.

You’ve made me enthusiastic, optimistic and anxiously anticipating more!

You’ve made me resourceful, realistic and practical!

 

Thank you.

 

You’ve showed me just how great life can be and at the same time, made me realize just how quickly pain, sorrow and tears can flood my heart.

I’ll forever treasure you 2012 as you have been the most wonderful gift ever.

And somehow I know the same awaits me next year!

 

How has 2012 forever changed you?  

Please feel free to share your comments and/or a link about a similar article in the comment section below.

Have fun Spreading JOY!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Becoming

October 1, 2012 by 7 Comments

Becoming…

I came across this quote some time ago and realized at that point that we live in tomorrow so much.  I do too.  I’m always looking forward to my next beach trip, the next Christmas or when things will simply just get better.

There is nothing wrong with that.  It’s healthy and pretty awesome to dream of what will be.  I dream of doing great things, having really nice things and making a huge impact in the hearts of others.

The problem comes in when we “live there” in tomorrow and forget about today.

Have you considered that:

  • Everything we do today, prepares us for tomorrow
  • Everything we experience today, prepares us for tomorrow
  • Every single trial we face today makes us stronger for tomorrow
  • Every single mistake we make today makes us wiser for tomorrow
  • Every act of joy, kindness and love makes us more compassionate for tomorrow
  • Every single tear that falls today allows us to treasure the joy of tomorrow.

When things are easy and we are “becoming” it’s not so bad, but when the days are tearful, fearful and difficult….”becoming” doesn’t seem so great, but that is so far from the truth.

You wonder why or “what did I do to deserve that?”

You wonder “how did I not see that coming? “

You wonder how could I have been so stupid, how will I ever make it and even wonder how you can take another day of “this?”

Because of the pain, tears and unknown you never in a million years think to ask….”What am I becoming?”

 

You may become cowardly…but you can also become courageous!

You may become down and out…but you can still rise to the top!

You may become a million different things, but truthfully, the choice is up to you.

We’d like to hear from you!  What are you becoming?

I know it’s difficult sometimes, but the bottom line is you ARE becoming amazing!

 

 

And, I imagine that you ALREADY are!

 

 

Spreading joy is as easy as posting this article to facebook, twitter, linked in and pinning it to pinterest. 

Do you have an article on this topic? I invite you to leave it below in the comment sections so others can easily find MORE encouragement and thank you for doing so!

Thank you for your efforts in Spreading JOY

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Shine for HIM

July 30, 2012 by 4 Comments

We are reflecting God’s amazing light and HE has equipped us to shine so brightly that it can be seen, even in the darkest night.

Nations may rise and fall but our light will last forever.

We can and will forever impact hearts and with Social Media that impact can extend further than our minds can even imagine.

We can reach the world for the Lord without even leaving our home.

We need to realize that we are always reflecting God if we are a Christian.  We need to use our talents for the Lord. We need to help others grow and mature with their knowledge of the Lord.  We need to encourage others to keep taking one step at a time…for the LORD.

People will think things of the Lord, based on what they see and think of us.  May they always see great things about Christ in me.

When I feel grumpy – shine

When I feel sad – shine

When I feel hopeless – shine

When I feel lost – shine

When I feel like God doesn’t hear – shine

When I feel alone – Shine

When I feel defeated – shine

Regardless of how I “feel” – those emotions will pass, but the light I give off will last.

While I want to reflect God’s love, greatness and mercy, I also want to be authentically me.  When things are rough, admit it and tell others that I’m relying on the Lord’s strength to carry me through.  When I’m grumpy, own it and apologize if I’ve hurt someone in the process.

I am responsible for the light I give. 

Reminder:  

We are a reflection of God’s light.  We do not need to fear the darkness as God will turn it into light.

Psalm 18:28 You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

Father, help us to remember that we are a light, regardless of our feelings or how dark our world may be.  Help us to remember that even if we flicker a tiny bit, that we will help to rid the darkness of its power. May we always shine for you, in Jesus name we ask…Amen

 

Spreading Joy is as simple as posting on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or Google + as well as pinning on Pinterest.

Do you have an article on this topic? I invite you to leave it below in the comment sections so others can easily find MORE encouragement and thank you for doing so!

Thank you for your efforts in Spreading JOY

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He Loves the Worst in Us

June 28, 2012 by 2 Comments

I’m often in awe that Jesus loves the worst in me.  The very worst.  He didn’t come to socialize with the best of the best.  He sought after the very worst the world had to offer and loved them.  He looked for the unlovable, the outcast and those that were often shunned by society.

Not only did our Lord Jesus look for the worst of us, but he also USED the worst.  They only had to be willing to go.  They only had to be willing to trust Him.  He didn’t require them to clean themselves up, get better and walk the straight and narrow first.  He simply loved them and cleaned them from the inside.

We, need to be like Jesus and quit looking for the best of the best to hang out with.  Quit looking for the high and mighty and start caring for the least of these.

Take the time to offer His love and then watch what His power will do in His time.

Love like He loves

Give like He gives

Go like He goes

Be like He IS…..

Remember…. He loves the worst in you too.

1 Thessalonians 3:12
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

{{HUGS}}

@spreadingJOY

 

 

Jesus Friend of Sinners

Psalm 25:8
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

Matthew 9:11
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

Matthew 9:13
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

Jesus Messiah

Psalm 40:16
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

Psalm 116:1
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

 

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Because HE First Loved Me

June 26, 2012 by 2 Comments

Lord,

I love you when the path is clear and easy,

I love you when I can hardly see.

I love you when I feel unlovable,

because you first loved me

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Power of a Simple Smile

June 25, 2012 by 8 Comments

I love when someone that I don’t know flashes me a smile!

I love when someone that I love and adore flashes me a smile from across the room.

I love when someone is spilling their heart of hurt, then looks up and smiles and says…but it will all be ok, I just know it.

I think smiles are among the most powerful things ever.

Hugs are neck and neck with just how powerful a simple gesture can be.

Think about it with me for a moment will you?  You can never smile at the wrong person and regardless of who you are, what circumstances you face or financial situation you are in, you have smiles that are ready in an instant.

You simply choose when to smile and to whom you smile. Easy!

Let’s take a deeper look at just how powerful a simple smile is!

  1.  A smile will calm the deepest fear – You’ve been there before. So fearful that you feel you can’t move and then someone smiles, extends a hand and immediately your heart is reassured and the fear starts to diminish.
  2. A smile will ease the pain of hurt – Regardless of what kind of pain you are dealing with…it hurts! Pain is pain and it all hurts.  Sometimes pain is noticeable and when we smile, we help acknowledge their hurt.  The most powerful one is when we smile, acknowledging and have no clue just how deep the hurt runs.
  3. A smile will destroy anger – Anger can be very controlling.  We get caught up in its choke hold and find that we can’t wiggle our way out.  Sometimes smiling is the only way, other than walking away.  My son was very angry at some unfortunate events.  He had “had enough” and was telling me about it.  I was listening intently to the reasons he was so angry and then right in the middle he stopped and said.  “Just stop it.” I shook my head and said stop what?  He then replied – “stop smiling because I can’t be angry when you are smiling at me.”  I wasn’t smiling to diminish his feelings in anyway, I was smiling because I love him and I wanted to help him because he was hurting.
  4. A smile will help to dry tears – I know this could easily fit under the pain of hurt, but some hurts don’t bring tears, while others do.  Sometimes we just cry…just because.  Sometimes we carry the weight of the world and it reduces us to tears.  Sometimes tears of joy fall and even though they are joyful, they are still tears.  A smile at someone who is tearful will be huge to them.
  5.  A smile will encourage – Sometimes we all need a little encouragement.  All of us.  Sometimes we need a gentle nudge that reminds us to take the next step.  Sometimes a smile is all that we need.  Such Power!
  6. A smile instantly displays kindness – Kindness is almost a forgotten thing these days.  We are busy, we are always behind and are rarely understanding.  When there are 15 people in ONE check-out line, the tension is always thick and kindness is nowhere to be found.  ONE smile from you can change that.  Chatter will start and people will enjoy the wait a lot more just because you displayed some unexpected kindness.
  7. A smile is reassuring – You’ve been there before, we all have.  You completely blew it and blew it big time.  You wonder what in the world you were thinking and wish you could just be swallowed up by the ocean or have the mountain fall down on you.  What if right in the middle of all of this, someone stopped and smiled?  You’ve admitted to your mistake, you are fixing it to the best you can and then…the smile comes.  Your heart is eased and your mind is reassured.
  8. A smile is extraordinary in the middle of the ordinary – We all love the early morning hours don’t we? WHAT?!? You don’t? ohhh baaah humbug.  *smiling* I’m a night person and not much of a morning person, but for whatever reason, I’m generally very perky in the morning.  (Just not after a nap…read here next) Many people are slow to “get going” and your bright smile will help to get the mundane morning off to a great start.  Try it sometime.  A HUGE smile and warm Good morning….powerful!
  9. A smile is pure JOY in the middle of the ickiness – You’ve had one of “those days” before.  No need to recount it here, BUT, that person that smiled at you right out of nowhere brought you more joy than they realized didn’t they?  So, let me challenge you! Right smack in the middle of your icky day… SMILE! It’s Powerful!
  10. A smile is the same in any language – I don’t always have the opportunity to speak with people that don’t speak English, but when I do, I smile HUGE first.  We all speak that language and it means the same, regardless of where you are from.  It speaks volumes before the first word has been spoken.

 

Every single one of us has something POWERFUL, yet we don’t use it nearly enough.

Use your smile daily!

It’s more powerful than you know!

What is your story of a powerful smile? Share with us below. 

 

HUGS are just as powerful…read more here

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Giants

June 18, 2012 by 5 Comments

 

Guys are huge! Huge!  Especially if you are a little girl, you look up and see a mighty man towering over you, your heart trembles a little.  Men are giants in the eyes of children.

I remember as a little, tiny girl being afraid of those towering giants in my life.  There were only two giant men that I took to early on without fear and they were my Father and Grandfather.

While I understand that not every man is full of care, compassion and concern for the women and children in his world and those that are quietly observing, (make no mistake, they are observing and retaining what they observe) I also understand that there are men that want to be a force for good in this world. 

I applaud you and want to encourage you to continue to be a Giant!

Here are some ways we can all be Giants, but Men, please…. Continue to stand up and be HUGE!

Giant of Compassion – Men in particular usually have a hard time comfortably displaying their emotions and showing compassion isn’t always the easiest.  I know that kindness is there, filling your heart…let it flow freely.

Giant of Love – Continue to love and allow yourself to be loved – even when love hurts.

Giant of Giving – Giving of what you have doesn’t always come naturally, but we can condition our hearts to be a giant in this area. Don’t focus on what you are giving, or to whom.  Just give what you can and show others that there is nothing like it.

Giant of Laughter – With the weight of the responsibilities that you bare, sometimes it is just good to sit back and do fun things.  Laugh daily and share freely.

Giant of Family – YOU head up the family, you are responsible, you direct, guide and shelter.  Be there, be part of what goes on, share your heart with those in your family freely.  Be authentic and in doing so, you will raise up giants of your own.

Giant of a Husband – Men if you are married, the best thing you can do is to continue to date and spoil your wife.  Find out, if you’ve forgotten, what little things she adores and spoil her with them.  Yes, we ladies need to do the same thing, but we gals are creatures of response and she will react.  But, honestly…don’t do this just to “get” something in return….do this because you are a giant and are willing to do it because it is the right thing to do.

Giant of a Friend – Men, go and do some men stuff.  Encourage each other and have fun.  Take time to be a friend.

Giant of an Example – There are little eyes watching you and you won’t even realize it.  You will cause someone, somewhere to remember something that you did…something you considered insignificant and yet, in that moment it was larger than life to the onlooker.  You are always inspiring someone and being an influence.  The question is, are you inspiring great things or are you inspiring a lackadaisical attitude?

Giant of Wisdom – You have experiences that no one else around you has.  You can share what you’ve learned and those around you that are truly wise will learn from you.  Share freely.

 

Lastly guys, remember, you are completely loved and adored by someone.

YOU ARE a giant in their eyes.  Treasure that, protect that and use it. 

Gals – you can be a giant to! I hope you will be.

Your turn!  How can we be giants to those little eyes that are watching everything we say and do? Don’t miss your opportunity to be heard here.

 

Dear Dad, you are already a HERO, just because you are a dad… be the best influence you can be without guilt

Dear Dad, I know you are busy with work &providing for the family, but provide memories too

Dear Dad, I know we are all special BUT never, ever forget that you are loved & adored

Dear Dad, even when I think I know it ALL, YOU still be the parent. I’m too young to make big decisions.

Dear Dad, laughter is the best medicine, but never forget tears are healing

Dear Dad, Even though guys are macho, we still need to hear “i love you”

Dear Dad, I know you want to give me the best of everything, but make me be responsible for what you give me

Dear Dad, we love big squishy bear hugs

Dear Dad, help me to own my mistakes, don’t enable me or excuse my actions

Dear Dad, I love you

 

 

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Thinking about Thanks

May 10, 2012 by 4 Comments

Our days seem to get so busy, our time escapes us and our hearts can be so heavy.  During all of these times, we not only should pray, but praise.

I hope you will spend some time just thanking the Lord.  Thanksgiving needs to be a daily thing for us, not just an annual event.

I’m thankful for:

  • How detailed the Lord is…even when we aren’t.
  • How HE remembers…even when we don’t
  • How HE cares for us…even when we are too busy to care back
  • How HE inspires us with the smallest things…even when we feel uninspired
  • How Great our Lord is…even though I am the least of these
  • HIS great love…even though my love can’t compare
  • His perfect plan…even though it’s painful sometimes
  • His reminders and examples from His word…even though we neglect it more than we should
  • His thought and concern to give me the greatest friends ever…even though I fall really short all to often
  • His perfect love….even though I am the picture of imperfection
  • His never ending light…even though darkness surrounds me
  • His joy that strengthens me…even when I feel I can’t continue
  • How HE delights in me…even though HE knows the worst about me
  • His amazing grace…even though I don’t deserve it at all
  • His renewing mercies each day…even when I try to go it alone
  • His abundant blessings…even though sometimes I grumble because I don’t have more
  • His limitless knowledge…even when I don’t understand

Spend some time thinking about all that you are grateful for.  Dwell on it, wrap your heart in it and praise HIM for it.

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Do Right…Regardless

April 26, 2012 by 5 Comments

I love the story of Joseph.

Many people identify with him.  They do what is right, help where they can and are simply a blessing to those around them but things just seem to keep going wrong in their world.

What are they supposed to do?

Be like Joseph and Do right…regardless

 

The following is from a Bible Study that I held on Twitter.  enJOY and add to it in the comment section below. 

 

God knows everything and is in control.  We know this and STILL try to navigate our own way.  Do like Joseph, let go and let GOD.

Joseph was the son of Rachel and Jacob.  Rachel had been barren for many years and Joseph was an answer to prayer.

Gen 37 tell us that Israel love Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he was the son of his old age. Can we see the issues that this will cause?

He gave Joseph a beautiful coat of many colors.  Is favoritism worth the bitterness and hatred between siblings that it causes?

Each child has great potential.  Take time to mold that potential. Work on their individual strengths and dreams.  Never ever compare your Children

God spoke to Joseph in dreams.  Joseph told his brothers these dreams.  The bitterness in their hearts cause them to hate him even more

Christian…YOU should rejoice at the success of your brother & sisters in Christ.  Don’t be bitter or jealous.

Rejoice with them. PRAY for great blessings for them.  I faithfully prayed for a friend for over two years for an awesome job.

I’m super excited that he loves a job that he can be and IS wildly successful on.  Be happy for your friends’ success!

Christian, don’t be tempted to be resentful when your brother/sisters in Christ are succeeding.  REJOICE!!

He was 17, he had to know that they were not thrilled with his dreams.  His brothers wouldn’t have any part in bowing down to him

Joseph did what was right in his father’s eyes. He did what was right in God’s eyes.  Even though it seemed not to help anything at all

Joseph, doing what his father wished, went to check on his brothers.  They were so filled with hatred that they wanted to kill him.

Reuben, hoping to come back and rescue him later, talks his brothers into throwing Joseph into a pit.

The brothers stripped him of his rob and threw him in the pit.  As if their actions were ordinary, they sat down to eat.

Don’t let it be “ordinary” to cause trouble to other believers

While eating they saw slave traders off in the distance, and decided to make some money off of the little dreamer.

Joseph was taken to Egypt.  The brothers took the robe, dipped it in blood and took it to Jacob.  Jacob grieved for his son.

Can you imagine the anger and bitterness in the hearts of Joseph’s brothers to WATCH their father grieve and NOT tell him Joseph was ok?

Joseph was sold by the Midianites to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

Joseph does right and is the captain. Even though Joseph was ripped from his family, God is blessing his faithfulness

When we are doing right, serving the Lord faithfully and things go wrong, we tend to blame God, whine at God and wonder where HE is.

God, the creator of the universe can use the trials, sin and anything else HE chooses to bring blessings.

Do you get all kinds of whiny with God when you are doing right & everything is going wrong?

Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce Joseph.  Joseph says – how can I sin against God? Joseph ran from sin!

How often do we run to sin?  Be like Joseph and run from it. Stay far away and avoid it.

Can you imagine Joseph’s heart at this point?  He is a young faithful man, doing right regardless and yet things still are going wrong.

Chapter 39 says that God blessed Joseph in jail. The blessings we “want” may not be the blessings we get.  Recognize them anyway.

You may desire blessings of a huge 5,000 sq ft home, new teal blue corvette & others material things, but God knows better

He gives you blessings of a faithful spouse, Children that choose to serve the Lord because they want to and a desire to make a difference for Christ.

Be so close to the Lord that when you are blessed in the midst of the trials & problems that you easily SEE your blessings.

The Butler and the Baker are in Jail and need someone to interpret their dreams.

Joseph reminds them that God interprets dreams.  Joseph, while in jail, is STILL giving GOD the glory! Still giving all credit to God.

Be very very careful to give God the credit for your blessings. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above

Even though the Butler forgot about Joseph for 2 years, Joseph continued to do right and Gave God the glory.

Pharaoh has a dream and the forgetful butler Finally remembered Joseph. (in God’s Time)  Again, Joseph does what?

He says that God will give the answer to Pharaoh’s dream.  He doesn’t take any credit at all.  None.

God allowed Joseph In Gen. chapter 41 to tell him that the famine is going to take place and because of the double dream it would happen shortly

Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of all that he had.  Other than the throne, no one was higher.  God blessed Joseph.

God can work past our sin, our doubts, our fears and our short comings.  God will accomplish HIS desires, in spite of us

Joseph, during all of this time did absolutely NOTHING wrong.  He didn’t deserve to be sold into slavery

Joseph didn’t deserve to be thrown in jail, he didn’t deserve to be forgotten about.  But even through all of that Joseph was faithful

Joseph simply chose to do right….regardless.  He trusted God to work everything out.  It couldn’t have been easy.

There was probably more tears than we know.  A 17 yr old boy would have been homesick to see his father.

There was probably more fear than we know.  Even though young guys are “manly men” they are fearful too.

Regardless of the tears or fears, Joseph chose to do what was right in God’s eyes regardless of the circumstances around him.

His brothers come to Egypt to get food.  They had money but need food.  When they got to Egypt and saw the 2nd in command, what did they do?

Indeed, they bowed to him.  Just as his dreams of long ago had foretold.

Joseph put the 10 brothers through some testing. Teaching them a lesson, accusing them of being spies and such.

In Gen chapter 45 He can’t contain his emotions any longer.  He weeps so loudly that everyone hears him.

He tells them, I am Joseph.  Notice his first question. IS MY FATHER still alive?  The brothers couldn’t answer him.

His faithfulness was rewarded in that his family was saved from famine & he was allowed to see his dad again

Can you imagine their shock?  Then their fear?  I wonder what was racing through their hearts.

Joseph tells them that even though they sold him, Gen 45:7 “And God sent me before you to preserve you”

God is faithful to keep his promise.  Regardless of what we do or don’t do.  God will bring all things together for good.

In the midst of the injustice, pain and sin, God is able to keep his promises.

Joseph stayed faithful to the Lord even though things didn’t seem fair.  Even though things were not going as he had dreamed.

Joseph did everything to the best of his ability, regardless of the position he was put in.   Joseph did right, regardless.

Bringing this home to us, what can we apply to our own lives?

Are you willing to trust God and do right regardless?

Will you look for and can you find the blessings among the trials and hardships?

Will you allow everyone around you to see God in you, even when everyone is doing their best to stop you in your tracks?

Make the choice today to do right….regardless!

 

Are you willing to do right, regardless of the situations you are in.  Are you willing to choose, like Joseph to do right while waiting?

What are your thoughts on this? Have you had times where you’ve had to choose to do right…regardless?

Encourage someone by leaving a comment below.

 

 

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25 Ways to Show Love

February 7, 2012 by 1 Comment

 

Valentine’s Day is typically the day that couples express their love for one another.  Many single people have grown to dislike this day and sadly some have even come to despise this day.

May I challenge you to show those in your world that you care?  Don’t give thought to if you are a couple or not.

Think of your friends that you have fun with, your cousins that you rarely get to see, that high school friend that you chat with on Facebook.

Those are the ones that you can tell how you care…after all, who doesn’t need to know that they are cared for?

Every one of us, right down to the smallest of us, need to know we are loved.  Take the time to show some love today. Here are some easy peasy suggestions.

I know there are a BAzillion other ways, but I’m trying to REMOVE all excuses by using the K*I*S*S method – Keep It Simple Sweetie  - since I’m married, we’ll start with the husbands and wives. 

Husbands/Wives:

  1. Breakfast in bed – I bet the scene of “one serving the other” just ran through your head and you are thinking “what about me?” See, I KNOW how you are.  Actually, I was thinking – 2 cups of coffee/juice, 2 bowls of cereal or favorite oatmeal and sitting close and comfy with each other in the bed, slowly starting the day.  Remembering, giggling, and gazing into each other’s eyes as you talk.  Nothing fancy is needed as the time together is the best part.
  2. Divide and conquer – Divide up a few chores so that you’ll have more time to spend with each other.  Ladies, invite your husband to share in the dishes.  Ask him if he’d come, stand behind you with his mighty arms wrapped around you while you wash.  Here, it will go something like this –             you - “Honey will you help me?”  Him – grunt/groan    You- “pleeeeeeease, it will only take 10 minutes or so” (draw out the please)  Him - *sigh* ugghh – ok.  He comes to you in the kitchen, you take his arms, wrap them around your waist from behind you, pull him close and proceed to do the dishes.  You – “Thank you for helping with the dishes! It’s such a chore alone. You are such a hero!”   Him – to busy kissing your neck to respond. Make sure you are wearing some sweet perfume so that he will be helping you by nibbling on your neck. I hate washing dishes, but if I were engulfed in my husband’s arms and he was “helping” that way, I would not mind doing the dishes at all. Guys…. HELP with any household chore and it will free up your wife to do other things. **Side Note: I have NOT tried this, but will let you know what happens when I do**
  3. Hold hands – such a lost art of love between husbands and wives.  Simple, sweet…effective.
  4. Leave notes for each other  – Leave notes for each other.  Ladies, don’t expect the guys to acknowledge that he received it.  He got it AND smiled.  I use to struggle with this as I do it often, but trust me… He GETS it.  Guys, this is such a SIMPLE way to your gal’s heart.  She will BEAM with JOY when she finds the note you left her.  Get creative, have fun and smile…knowing you are loved.
  5. His/Her night with no guilt – He is watching TV in the living room while SHE is reading a book in the bedroom.  ONE of YOU schooch right up beside the other and keep doing what you were already doing.  He can watch TV while you read (or play angry birds, words with friends, tweet or facebook) and just enjoy being beside each other.  Who cares if SHE doesn’t watch TV with you, she IS WITH you.  Who cares if HE doesn’t like sappy romance books (or angry birds, words with friends, twitter or facebook) HE is with you.  Got it?  good!
  6. Date Night – I don’t care if the budget is tight, there are things that the two of you can do together.  Walk in the park or by the lake. If you have physical issues, sit in the garden together or enjoy sitting at the park watching the sun set. Go to McDonalds and share an order of fries.  Or, go big and go to Outback Steak House or even bigger with a posh downtown restaurant.  The thing is… GO ON A DATE.  Monthly if at all possible.
  7. No Complaining Night – This is exactly what it says.  Gals, if your guy doesn’t help don’t complain.  Guys, if your wife doesn’t do the dishes after dinner, don’t complain.  Gals if you don’t like how HE folds the clothes – keep it to yourself.  SIDE NOTE:  [whispering] wives, if your husband helps you with laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, kids – ANYTHING…never ever EVER complain… don’t do it.  You will DISCOURAGE him, make him feel like he can’t do anything right and stop doing it.  Guys – if she doesn’t listen to me and complains anyway – walk over to her EACH time she complains and take her in your arms and smother her with kisses.   Hmm, ladies….on second thought, if he starts doing this when you complain… complain all you want to.
  8. Honest Communication – Ladies, WE are the worst about this.  I can NOT read your mind and neither can he.  If you want something say – that would make a nice birthday gift.  If you don’t like something, kindly say.  If you say NOTHING is wrong, EXPECT the conversation to end.  If you say you don’t want anything for Christmas – expect NOTHING.  Being honest is the best.  Yes, he has and will make you angry.  YES YOU have and will make him angry…but telling everyone but him/her won’t fix things.
  9. Gadgets – Don’t you just love technology?  I do.  Find out what is something they’d like to have.  Often if you simply listen to them in conversation, they will tell you.  I’m already looking into a gift for my husband for Christmas this year. HE will love it….I Know he will, cause HE SAID he would, just in passing.
  10. Pal Around – Share the fun things, the bad things and everything in between.  Be their best friend.  Laugh together, cry together and know that no matter what you face, you are facing it together.
  11. Slow Dance – turn on some sappy music to play in the background and when he/she walks buy take their hand and slow dance for a song.  Look into each other’s eyes and enjoy the song.
  12. Say I LOVE you – tell him/her that you love them.  Tell them why.  It doesn’t have to be poetic or rhyming.  Tell why from your heart.
  13. Love yourself – YOU are special, you mean the world to your spouse…love yourself, regardless of how you feel you look.  Ladies, we struggle with this more than some guys do.  Society has us blinded to true beauty.  We feel we have to be a size ZERO to be gorgeous.  I have a pretty smile and an ok face, but not much else going for me.  When my husband takes me in his arms, kisses me and tell me I’m beautiful to him… I BELIEVE IT and I feel it.  Guys, when your wife tells you what a sexy hunk of man you are… Believe her and BE HER sexy hunk of man.
  14. Focus on the Positive – negative things are going to arise in a marriage. I know this and many times I’m the cause of it because I just don’t realize that I’m getting on his nerves.  Focus on the positive things that you love about each other, while honestly communicating about the negative and work on those.  For instance: I like to chew my ice.  Steve hates it.  When I’m around him, I really try to NOT do the things that he hates.  I don’t point out his flaws and DWELL on them because if I’m honest with myself, HE could POINT out my flaws for days and years.  Enjoy each day.
  15. Ask for Help – Ladies, our guys love to come to our rescue.  Seek out your hero!  Guys, sometimes we simply need a hero…be there!
  16. Special Date – Gals, you know the way to your man’s heart is through his stomach as well as sex.  Romantic dinner, awesome dessert & TLC afterwards = priceless.  Don’t have the time/money to get away for a special night.  Let me help you with that.
    1. Dinner – Use your best dishes. Lettuce wedge with a sliced tomato, bacon bits and dressing for appetizer. Rotisserie Chicken, mashed potatoes or other veggies from the deli and special dessert
    2. Setting – home – arrange for kids to be gone, candles, soft music.  If your husband has a job where he is sweaty when he comes home, set everything out while he is in the shower. He will be delighted when he see this set up.
    3. Meal – don’t be in a hurry. Enjoy each other’s time and company. Everything else is out of sight and mind.  Just YOU and HIM.
    4. TLC = Gals, NOTHING in this area of sex has changed about your guy since you married him.  Nothing.  Justsaying. Let the evening naturally flow, spoil him and enjoy him.
  17. Special Date – GUYS, see number 16 but change up a few things.  After the meal, have her remain at the table, while you light candles, turn on soft music and run her a hot bubble bath.  Tell her to simply relax in the bath.  While she is doing that, take the time to clean everything.  [nods] yes…all of IT.  Once the wrinkles have set in and the water is cold, bring her favorite thick, warm comfy pj’s to her.  Her idea of TLC = schooch in close, wrap your arms around her.  Kiss her goodnight and stay awake, watching her…protecting her while she slowly drifts off to sleep in your arms.  She will sleep peacefully knowing that her hero has her.  AND – if her idea of TLC is the same as YOUR idea, well then… still wrap her close afterwards….watching, holding…protecting.  Allowing her to fall asleep in your arms.
Friends/Family need to be shown love too
  1. Text – Technology is an amazing thing. Text pictures, hugs, laughs and smiles to tell someone you care!
  2. CALL – still a good old fashioned way of communicating to your friends and family.
  3. Mail a CARD – While I do love technology, there is nothing like receiving a card in the mail with a special note written inside.
  4. Plan Something Fun – Schedule some time for friends and extended family. Even if there are no birthdays or anniversaries, just go and have fun.
  5. Star Gaze – take your kids outside one evening and just look at the never ending galaxy of gorgeous stars.  Allow them to bring their favorite pillow, stuffed animal and spend some time talking about what they see in the stars. You might just be amazed.
  6. Brag on Them – go ahead and talk about them behind their back…as long as it’s positive, uplifting and encouraging. While you are at it, TELL them how wonderful they are!
  7. Fun Breakfast – still have kids at home? Regardless of their age, they will love some homemade chocolate chip pancakes or muffins.  Use fruit to make a cute face or put some out and tell them to make a face with it.  Enjoy the laughter.
  8. Free to be Themselves – Make your home a haven.  Regardless of who is there and when, allow their personalities to shine through, all them to be who they are without apology and build on their strengths.  Don’t always point out the negative things about them, focus on the things that you love and adore about them.

 

There you have it,  25 fun things to do to show love.  Am I a counselor? No.  Do I have the perfect marriage/family? No, and I never will.  Can I work on these things just like you? YES…and do.

But, just like you, I find time, finances and other “things” to get in the way.  I’m working on pushing past those things and showing love where and when I can.

There are things on these 2 lists that you can do to show love as well.  These items do not cost a single penny. List 1 & List 2

Life is short…spread some joy and show some love!

I’m a sappy gal… what can I say?

YOUR turn.

We are looking for easy peasy ways of showing those that we love them, just how much we love them.  Share your ideas in the comment box below.

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