Not long after I got married I realized that the work of a homemaker is never complete. There is no 9-to-5 work schedule. There are no days off for the weekends or holidays. There aren’t even meal breaks. Instead, the sink fills with dishes every day—especially on weekends and holidays. The clothes hamper refills with dirty clothes as … [Read more...] about Handling the Endless Work of Homemaking
serving others
Rekindling the Romance of Early Marriage
During the early months of marriage it’s easy to go the extra mile to do special things for your spouse. As time passes, though, things like busyness, fatigue, distractions, and disagreements make this more difficult. I’m simply not as eager to make my husband’s favorite cookies now, nor is he as eager as he once was to rub my sore … [Read more...] about Rekindling the Romance of Early Marriage
Choosing to Find Your Spouse Attractive
I’m amazed at how my appreciation for my husband’s physical attributes has grown throughout our marriage. Though I found him attractive when I married him, I find him even more attractive now. I remember back in my single days having conversations with other single ladies and single guys about attractiveness. There was this overall … [Read more...] about Choosing to Find Your Spouse Attractive
Taking Interest in the Things That Interest Your Husband
My husband is into a lot of things that just don’t hold my interest—cars, yard projects, sci-fi movies, soccer, etc. Though it might be easiest to encourage him to pursue these on his own or to ignore them and try to get him into things that interest me, I’ve been making an effort to learn about his interests and engage in activities related … [Read more...] about Taking Interest in the Things That Interest Your Husband
Making Pregnancy Special for Expectant Dads
Pregnancy is an incredibly special time for moms-to-be: feeling the baby move, getting showered with attention from loved ones and strangers alike, being invited to participate in expectant mom programs offered by hospitals and retailers, etc. Though pregnancy is special for dads-to-be, too, they rarely receive the support and attention … [Read more...] about Making Pregnancy Special for Expectant Dads
Welcoming New Neighbors
A “For Rent” sign recently went up in the window of a nearby house. This means we’ll likely have new neighbors moving in soon. I’ve noted previously that Americans have experienced a decline in their sense of connectedness with their neighbors. If we are to carry out the Biblical command to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40), then we … [Read more...] about Welcoming New Neighbors
Why Not to Complain About Husbands Like They Are All the Same
I’ve long observed the tendency of married women to commiserate with one another by sitting around and complaining about their husbands as though the men all have the same weaknesses and flaws. Whether this is done in a public venue like Facebook or a private venue like a quiet conversation in the hallway at church, I’ve come to believe … [Read more...] about Why Not to Complain About Husbands Like They Are All the Same
Writing Supportive Messages in Sympathy Cards
Have you ever been at a loss for words when trying to write a supportive message in a sympathy card? Perhaps you’ve wondered if it’s even beneficial to send one? Cards can be a significant source of encouragement and support when you’re grieving. There’s no one message that is suitable for every grieving individual, but here are some … [Read more...] about Writing Supportive Messages in Sympathy Cards