Treating Your Husband

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even 

so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

How is it that the people who see us at our worst also love us the most? 

I'm talking about family. Specifically, our husbands. They look past our bed hair, morning breath, grouchiness, and still love us at the end of our really bad days. In return, we say we love them more than anyone else on the planet, but sometimes treat them worse than a stranger in passing.

Did you know that the rule "treat others how you would like to be treated" also includes your husband? It doesn't matter if he is doing "his share" or not. If you want your husband to treat you like a queen, treat him like a king. 

• If you want your husband to surprise you more with flowers, a card, or love letter, surprise him with something first. 
• Does your husband have a really bad habit that annoys you? Well, guess what ladies....you have several bad habits of your own! Try to work on these areas and maybe he will do that in return.
• Your friends husband always raves about what a wonderful wife he has, but your husband only manages to tell others about your latest and greatest disaster. Praise your husband in front of others every chance you get. On social networking, to friends and family, and the cashier. He might do it back, but, even if he doesn't, it never hurts to build your husband up!
• Forgive and forget. Forgive even if he doesn't ask for it. You don't want to be reminded of your mistakes and wrongdoings, and neither does he.

We should treat everyone how they want to be treated, but especially our husbands. There is no one else, besides God, who loves us more or deserves our best actions and attitude. 

 Image courtesy http://mrg.bz/rjbBvQ

Goal Update: Week 2

Week 2 is over, so it is once again time for another goal report- even if I am ashamed of myself! But if there is one thing I want Titus 2 Girls to be about, it is honesty. So you will be getting the good, the bad, and the ugly around here! All from my own life, unfortunately!

1. Wake up at 5:00- I have not done that ANY this week. Later this evening I'm going to re-evaluate this goal, get the the heart of my failure, and motivate myself.
2. Work out four days a week- I did this three times. Failing in my first goal has meant failing here as well. However, I am not beating myself up too much. Going from no consistent exercise to three times in a week is still great! I've found that the more I make this a habit, the more I am wanting to exercise. This is a new and awesome feeling!
3. Finish the Bible in a year- I am still ahead here, and have been learning so much from God's Word! 
4. Write three blogs post per week- still on track here as well.

How are you doing on your goals or resolutions? If you haven't accomplished all that you wanted, like me, tomorrow begins a new week! Falling down isn't failure, but not getting up is. 

If you've been successful so far, do you have any tips for the rest of us? Let me know in the comment section!

Image courtesy http://mrg.bz/Bf0Kh4

A Time to Say No: Saying No to Perfect

One of my goals for this year is to make sure I really live, and not just survive from day to day. In order to do this there are going be some times I'm going to have to say no- no to people, and no to perfection. Let me explain.

Maybe you have both the time and desire to attend the ladies meeting at church. There will be great food and fellowship, so you have no trouble signing up. But then you get to thinking about that "great food" part.

Your schedule this week is jammed packed. When will you have time to contribute to all of that great food? 

Susie Homemaker will be at that meeting, with a perfectly decorated something or other. Everyone will rave at her creativity. 

Supermom will arrive with a delicious and complicated dish that took hours to prepare. Everyone will request her recipe.

Your sister-in-law will top everything off with something tasty, healthy, and organic. There will be praise all around.

So you can't just pick something up at the local bakery, as hubby suggests. That would be cheating, taking the easy way out. Instead, you have to pull out your most delicious and time consuming recipe. It has to be perfect.

And you can't say no to perfect.

So maybe you skip date night that week to achieve perfection. Or you skip out on some sleep and end up grouching at your family. 

And all for what? A few pats on the back by the local ladies who don't have to live with your grouchiness.

You break the budget (without telling your husband) for a new outfit and hair-do for the upcoming family reunion.

Martha is stopping by your house later, so you stress out and cancel everything else on your to do list to clean up. Everything has to look perfect.

You skip out on your prayer and devotion time to get ready for a double date with friends. The other couple is thin, trim, and fashionable- you can't stand the thought of looking "dumpy" next them.

You can't say no to perfect.

I've been there. Even tried to live there. 

But not this year. Will you join me? 

Image courtesy  http://mrg.bz/zgVcuP

A Time to Serve

And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three 

measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. 

(Genesis 18:6)

One day three unexpected guests showed up at Abraham and Sarah's door, and Abraham decided that they needed a meal. Guess who got volunteered to help in the job? 

His lovely and obedient wife. He he hurried into the tent and ordered, "Hurry up and bake some bread."

Kind of bossy if you ask me. No "please," or "if you don't mind and have the time."

Excuse me? You want me to do what? I didn't invite these men in. I don't even know them! These are your guests. If you want them to have a meal, then you do the work. 

Maybe Sarah was getting ready to meet with some friends. Maybe she was in the middle of cleaning up from the morning meal, and her kitchen was in chaos. A million things were on her to do list, and dear hubby expected a meal on the double.

Have you ever been there? What was your response? Did you fly off the handle, tell your husband or boss off, thinking you were in the right? Were you be proud of your response?

Or maybe you haven't been there. Your husband would never dare ask you of anything unexpected, or expect you to entertain strangers unaware. He knows the strife it would cause in your marriage and home, so he doesn't bother to ask. Your friends or co-workers don't ask you for help. No one comes to you when they are in a pinch, because they already know the response they will get. 

There's a time to say no, but also a time to serve.

Sarah was a servant. Her husband knew he could come to her when he got in a bind. He could count on her as a help-meet, and to never dishonor him in front of others. That's the kind of wife I want to be. The kind of friend and co-worker I want to be. 

That's what God wants us to be. 

Maybe your husband will come to you with a request this week. His might be bossy or have the wrong attitude, but two wrongs don't make a right. Do it cheerfully. Love in action. Selflessness is never easy, but it will make your marriage glorious. 

Do you have a story to share about serving others or your husband? I'd love to hear about it! Let's see who can be the first to comment!

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Giving God the Ugly

This isn’t fair. I’ve been done wrong to. I know exactly what I’m going to say to so and so when I see them. I’m going to get out my phone and text such and such. Two can play this game.

There was recently a situation in my life where these thoughts, among many others, were going through my mind.  They were mean and nasty, and I wanted to turn those thoughts into words. I did not want to act like a Christian, but give people exactly what I thought they deserved. I was mad, mad, mad. I knew my thoughts weren’t pleasing to God, but did not know how to let them go.

Ever been there? Did you try to pretend like things were ok, stuff everything in, and then eventually explode?

I’m glad that, with God, you don’t have to pretend. I stopped trying to do that long ago. Even if my feelings and thoughts aren’t always righteous and godly, I take it to Him anyways.

Because He’s the only one who can take the ugly away.

God already knows what we’re feeling. When I went to Him about that situation and said, “God, I’m mad right now. I’m hurt and don’t understand,” it didn’t take Him by surprise. When everyone else defines you as sweet, pure, and kind-hearted, you know what’s really going on inside.

God knows what’s going on inside. So take it to Him.

That’s what I did. Thankfully, before I said or did something I regretted and destroyed relationships, I took the ugly to God. I confessed my sin, and He gave forgiveness to me and put love in me.

That’s how it can work out for you as well. Do you have hurt or bitterness that needs dealt with? Don’t try to work it out on your own, but come to God. There’s no more need to hide, no more need to pretend- just a need to get to God, to get to grace.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain

mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

(Hebrews 4:16)

Image courtesy http://mrg.bz/IuIusr

Burlap & Chevron Print Tissue Box Cover

It was burlap, chevron, bright green, AND 50% off all rolled into one.

I jumped on it. Oh, the project ideas!

When I pulled that little roll of cuteness out of the bag at home and then spotted my tissues in their sad cardboard box, I put two and two together. The burlap roll was the perfect size to make a cover. I wanted the project to be easy easy. My husband said sew, while I was thinking something else. Here's what I ended up doing:

• I wrapped the burlap around my box to see how much I needed, making it nice and tight, added about an inch for seam allowance, and then cut. 
• Turned the fabric inside out and pinned

• Fit it around my box just to make sure it was the right size (it was)

• Sewed a straight line.

• Put it over my box. I was glad to see that it was still nice and tight.

• Then I got out my hot glue gun. Remember I wanted it to be easy easy. The less sewing and cutting the better. Working one corner at a time, I folded and glued. It was like wrapping a gift.

Here is the finished project:

The top of it is a little lose and bumpy, but it does not look that bad in person. I still think it looks great in my living room! For a few dollars and about ten minutes I will take it!

Monthly Meal Plan

How could I ever plan out an entire month of meals? you think. I can't even get dinner on time for tonight!

If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of planning out your dinner for the entire month, then this post is for you. It is not as hard as you think, and won't take you hours to do or cause a headache. I started making a monthly meal plan in August of 2013 and love it! It's a huge help. 

Here is my menu for January. I also have February done. I just used the simplest, non-fancy calendar I could find on Microsoft Publisher.

1. Repeat your favorites. My husband has his, I have mine, and then there are things we both love. Some of these meals get repeated twice a month, other things only once a month. 
2. Plan for leftovers. Saturday is my day for this, but choose what works best for you. If there are no leftovers then we just do something quick.
3. Repeat your favorites. Um, isn't this what you already said? Yes, and I want to repeat it because this is what makes things easy!
4. Don't freak out if you get off schedule. This is going to happen. On Wednesday we went shopping, so we had dinner out. I just moved that meal, spaghetti, to Thursday. 
5. Go through your cupboards when you start your new monthly menu. What do you already have on hand to make? This will save you money, and you will know what you have to buy for the month. 

What is your personal favorite? Put it on your calendar once. 

What does your whole family love? You might be able to make that once a week. 

Your husbands favorite? Put it on once. 

Plan for leftovers.

If you have new recipes you want to try, schedule them in. I usually try one or two a month. If it is something we like, then I have something new to repeat each month.

Before you know it you will have the whole month done! You will feel like the most organized person in the world. You will save time, money, and save your self some headaches as well. 

Do you have a meal plan that you follow or have any advice for newbies? Comment and let me know!

Goal Update: Week 1

The first week of the new year is almost over! That means it is time for an update on the goals I have set for 2014. Technically it hasn't been a full week yet, since 2014 did not start until Wednesday, so some goals may look like they haven't been fulfilled.

1. Wake up every day at 5:00 for 30 days- I confess that today was the first day of doing this! I got up at 4:30. There were some late nights earlier in the week, and I want to take care of myself this year by getting at least eight hours of sleep a night. That meant not waking up until later.

2. Work out 4 days a week- today was day 3 of this for me. There have only been four days in the new year, so I count this as success! It feels great starting out the day energized.

3. Read the Bible through in a year- I'm actually ahead of schedule on this.

4. Write 3 blog posts per week- this is number three.

I'm excited with the way I have started out. Three out of four is pretty good!

How have you been doing on your resolutions and goals? Did you set any, or were afraid of failing so you didn't even bother? It is not too late to write a few down! I encourage you to do some research on goal setting, and then set aside a block of time (not just a few minutes either) to really thing about what you want this year. Be specific, and then get going. You will never get to the finish line if you don't even bother to start.

Image courtesy  http://mrg.bz/G5rmnB

Goals for 2014

"This is your life are you who you wanna be..." (Switchfoot)

There has never been a time in my life when I have been more thankful for a new year and fresh start than now. Last year was one of the busiest I have ever had. Involved in everything, but doing my best in nothing. Busyness without productivity. Time was stretched thin, and I was stretched thin. Just a make it to the next thing, I thought. Cross it off the to do list.

I remember one instance in December shutting myself in our half bath, near tears and ready to breakdown. I thought, I don't have time to deal with this, and then continued into the chaos. There were many prayers to God that involved me saying words like "overwhelmed" and "quit." I'm sure my patient and understanding husband got tired of me saying, "I can't take this anymore." I don't mean to sound like a basket case, because I am not normally like this, but I'm just being honest. There are some people that thrive on being busy. They have an overloaded calendar, run on five hours of sleep a night, and love it.

Obviously I am not one of those people.

There were a few times that ministry activities were canceled due to weather and other reasons. I was glad. Glad and guilty. It was not a good place to be in, and I knew it.  Thankfully, God is merciful and doesn't give us more than we can handle (although sometimes it feels like it), and gave me times of refreshing just when I thought I was at the end.

I have made it out of 2013 alive, and my biggest goal is to make sure I don't have another year where I am always "at the end." I want to live, not just endure each day going from one task to the next, feeling like a robot. I am confident that if I learn to say no, set priorities and clear goals, then this can be the best year ever.

Here are the other goals that I have set for 2014:

1. Work out to Jillian Michaels "30 Day Shred" DVD four times a week.
2. Finish reading the Bible in a year.
3. Write three blog posts a week.
4. Wake up at 5:00 every day for 30 days (going to try to make this a habit).

There are a couple of other goals I have related to my walk with God that are a little more personal, so I will wait until the end of the year to share how those went with you. I will also write a little more on goal setting later, so look for the posts! Every Saturday I will post my progress as well.

What are your goals for the year? Have you written them down and been very specific? Comment and let me know!

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/venosdale/6156635313/">Krissy.Venosdale</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>

3 Free Videos From Michael Hyatt

Have you ever heard of Michael Hyatt? If not, then it is a privilege for me to be the first to tell you about him. He is not only a successful blogger (as of last count he has 372,898 followers) and speaker, but a best selling author as well. If you have never visited his website, http://michaelhyatt.com, then I highly encourage you to do so. He has numerous posts that will encourage and motivate you to set goals and help you grow in personal development.
Right now he is offering three free videos on how to make 2014 your best year ever. I have watched all of them more than once, taking notes as I go, and then applied his advice to my own personal goals for this year. Sharing examples from his own life, he offers tips on setting smart goals to make this year your best.
I'm not sure how long these videos will be free, so I really hope you take advantage of this great opportunity.

(I am not receiving payment to promote Michael Hyatt or his materials in any way, just in case you were wondering!)