Building a heart of gratefulness for your spouse
This week is Thanksgiving and we will be remembering some things for which we’re thankful. Do you love your home? Are you grateful for your job? Your kids? Your church family? The car you drive? Where does your spouse fit it? Are you thankful for your spouse? (We trust you are!)
So often in marriage we forget to thank our spouse for who they are and for all they do for us. We take them for granted. Our challenge is that this week you take a few moments and tell your spouse some of the ways they’ve blessed you. We made a list of 75 items that you can thank your spouse for. If some of the list doesn’t apply to you, don’t say those things (we value integrity). Instead, use the list for ideas on how you may encourage your spouse in the future.
Thank your spouse for…
- The time you spend together
- How they provide for you
- His/her hard work and effort
- Listening well
- His/her spiritual influence
- Keeping a clean home
- Training the children
- Managing finances
- Respecting you
- His/her wisdom
- Taking care of himself or herself
- Holding your hand
- Driving the children to school & activities
- Their generosity
- The chores they do
- Saving money where they can
- His/her kindness
- Making wise choices
- Dating you
- Their courage
- Taking you on vacations
- His/her cheerful attitude and encouragement
- The comfort they bring you
- Their faithfulness
- Laughing with you
- Their friendship
- Buying you gifts
- The delicious meals he/she makes
- His/her attention to their spiritual growth
- Going to church with you
- Being an awesome lover
- Doing laundry
- Forgiving you
- Praying together
- Filling your car with gas
- Writing you notes
- Telling you about their day
- The values you share
- Loving your parents well
- Being a good dad/mom to your children
- Handling disagreements in a healthy way
- Mowing the yard
- His/her commitment and loyalty to you
- Telling the truth
- The compliments he/she gives you
- Giving you flowers
- Cleaning the kitchen
- Running errands for you
- Helping in our business
- Participating in a Bible study/small group with you
- Being a good driver
- Remembering anniversaries and birthdays
- Watching sports with you
- Sacrificing for you
- Meeting your needs
- Sexually satisfying you
- Giving you a break from the kids
- Remembering what’s important to you
- The peace and joy he/she brings you
- The many times he/she has shared with you
- Smiling at you when you talk
- Freeing you up to hang out with friends
- His/her style
- Choosing you
- Packing your lunch
- Walking in the rain so you don’t have to
- Reading devotions with you
- His/her texts and phone calls
- The back rubs and hugs they’ve given you
- The way they decorate
- Being willing to try something new
- Moving when they didn’t want to
- His/her perseverance
- The adventures you enjoy together
- His/her love for you
Practice expressing thanks and appreciation to your spouse this week and throughout the year as you build your marriage!