30-Day Challenge - Day 3

Ok, so how are you doing?  Still with it?  Yesterday went great for me.  I almost had dinner ready when he came home from work (way later than usual due to a project, so he was pooped!).  B was fussing in the kitchen and he went to pick him up, but I let him go change his clothes first so he could be comfortable.  After dinner, he and B took a looooong nap while R and I read and watched Wheel of Fortune.  He did have to go out and work later, but he was definitely relaxed.  And then he helped me clean the kitchen and fold laundry after the kids went to bed.  So that's how may Day 2, went, you can post your experiences in the comments.  
Onto Day 3: rules are still the same - 

Day Three:
"...love suffers long, and is kind..." 1 Cor. 13:4 
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."Phil. 4:19

Love indeed suffers long and is kind. As you consider your Encouragement Challenge, determine today that you will not say anything negative to or about your husband. Speak kindly to him with words of genuine encouragement.

If your husband is considerate of your needs, let him know that you have noticed. Thank him for his kindness and consideration. Thank the Lord that your husband knows how to be both tough and tender.

Sometimes it's difficult for a man to be gentle, kind or tender - especially if he hasn't had role models in these areas. If he's not a considerate person, appeal to him for help without complaining. Let him know that it's hard for you to handle some things alone. Then, when he moves in to help, don't insist that he do it your way. Be glad that he is responding, and express your gratitude.

Ultimately, you can't expect your husband to make you feel more secure, loved, etc. Remember that only God can meet the deepest needs of your heart.

What's your plan?  Are you being intentional about encouraging your husband?  Or are you just fitting it into your day?  I believe that planning things makes us more grateful because we have to think about all of it beforehand, but I also understand that sometimes it's not possible or you want the spontaneity of a kind word unscripted.  But I will still challenge you to be intentional.  Really pay attention to all the little things your husband does throughout the day, even if it is just putting the toilet seat down or cleaning off his own plate after dinner.  Those things do make your life easier.  It's easy to dwell on all the things that go wrong, but being intentional about encouragement forces you to focus on all the good things too.  And most of the time, there's plenty to be grateful for.  

My plan: I'm not very good at letting Mr. P help in his own way.  I get this idea that it's not helping unless he's doing it my way.   So today, I'm going to let him be kind or help out in his own way and be grateful that he can and he's willing to.  And to let him know about it, most importantly.