Speak Up (3 of 7)

by | Dec 13, 2022 | first try

 OK, let’s try some uplifting speaking today.

What do you need to communicate?
How can you do that in a kinder more encouraging way?

pushing up button on elevator

I’ve always found “practicing” helpful. The shower is a good place (because fewer people are likely to hear you and think you are one (or more) shy of a dozen eggs). Practice complimenting your spouse or saying something you usually say in a way that is more encouraging. Give your sentences a chance to sound more normal and natural before you turn them lose in the real world.

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © jaboo_foto / Adobe Stock
We’re Donation Supported

You and Your Words (2 of 7)

by | Dec 12, 2022 | self-examination

Spend the day thinking about your usual choice of words. Listen to yourself speak.

Are you speaking good words?
Do your words build up your spouse?

As a part of last week’s kindness focus, I was making an effort to choose my words with my husband more carefully and kindly. I was surprised (OK, I was really shocked) at the difference it made and, honestly, it felt really good. I’ve always thought my words were pretty kind (and they were, generally so), but being more thoughtful and specific made a huge difference.

I also spent a good deal of time considering my thoughts because my words spring from my thoughts. I had to look more critically at snarky thoughts and bits of unkind judgement. Boy, howdy, it was a tough week, but a good one.

So, take today and just observe how you speak. Let God talk to you about your choice of words and the impact they have on your spouse.

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © pathdoc / Adobe Stock
We’re Donation Supported

Words That Build Up (1 of 7)

by | Dec 11, 2022 | concept

“There are a bazillion scriptures in the Bible that talk about our words. Regardless of which one you pick, it’s clear that good words build up and that’s something we want to do for our spouse regularly.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  Ephesians 4:29  ESV

When I picked this scripture I was just looking for a simple verse that would help us speak encouraging words. After looking at the verse awhile though I realized this is a two-fer.* So while I’m offering you the concept of “bless your spouse with good/encouraging words”, you can learn a lot about good words by considering the contrast of “corrupting words.”

Here’s the amplified Bible version to give you a bit more insight.

Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].  Ephesians 4:29  AMP

hand picking good

corrupting/unwholesome words = tear down
thoughtful/appropriate/good words = build up

Spend the day thinking about the power of words. Think on those times when words made the difference. What makes a word “encouraging”? What makes a word “corrupt/unwholesome”?

 

* a two-fer is an item or offer that comprises two items but is sold for the price of one.

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © Fathromi Ramdlon / Pixabay
We’re Donation Supported

Kindness Conclusions (7 of 7)

by | Dec 10, 2022 | conclusions

I honestly need more than a week to play with kindness. 🙂 It’s the work of a lifetime, but taking a week to explore what kindness might look like and what I’m actually doing has been helpful. Sometimes I “think” I’m doing something, but when I make the time to consider it, I can see more clearly what I’m “actually doing.”

The Marriage Bed Etsy store shirt

I would very much like for my husband to feel like this on a daily basis.

How about you? Did you learn something? How has this adventure into kindness affected your marriage?

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © photographer / source
We’re Donation Supported

Kindness Resources (6 of 7)

by | Dec 9, 2022 | resources

If you want to spend more time on developing kindness in your life, one of the best resources I know of is The Kindness Challenge: 30 Days to Improve Any Relationship by Shaunti Feldhahn. It’s a book that walks you through a thirty day challenge to grow in kindness. She also has a site where you can sign up for daily emails with additional resources and helps.

The 30-Day Kindness Challenge

And, if you haven’t already, take a bit of time to see what the Word says about kindness. Maybe write a few scriptures out on 3×5 cards and tape them to your bathroom mirror. Or you could also set scripture reminders on your phone.

Here are a few scriptures to start with.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Colossians 3:12 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22 ESV

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © Amazon.com
We’re Donation Supported

Doing Kindness, Take Two (5 out of 7)

by | Dec 8, 2022 | second try

Take some time today to review your week so far.

What worked? What didn’t? What did you learn about yourself? Your spouse?

With that in mind, what would you like to try today? Experiment 2.0.

Is there something you did that needs a minor change? Is there something totally new you’d like to try? Do you need to have a talk with your spouse about what kindness looks like?

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © Gosia K. / Pixabay
We’re Donation Supported