Day Sixteen - Praying for Ron

I'm being challenged to pray for my husband.  I want to take this very seriously and reverently.  I don't want to pray for him to do something for me.  I don't want to try to ask for Ron to 'improve'.  I just want Ron to be blessed.

So, I'm going to pray for three things:

1. That Ron can continue to be very healthy throughout the remainder of his life.
2. That he can retire early enough and securely enough to really, truly enjoy it - and in doing so, be able to continue to serve his fellow man and Heavenly Father and his family.
3. That his children will gain the peace, security and a strong testimony in Heavenly Father which is the deepest desire of his heart.

These are the things that would give Ron the greatest joy and the strongest base for an eternal marriage.

I'll try to remember these in my daily prayers.

Tomorrow's challenge - Dare #17


Determine to guard Ron's secrets (unless they are dangerous to him or you) and to pray for them.  Talk with Ron, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues.  Really listen to Ron when he shares personal thoughts and struggles with you.  Make him feel safe.

Song of Solomon 6:3  I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he feedeth among the lilies.

Day Fifteen - Showing Some Respect

Since I've started these challenges, I have been pretty consistently respectful of Ron's great heart and intelligence.  How wonderful it is to unload that burden of anger and jealously and hurt in order to enjoy the light and blessings of a wonderful man.

Anyway, it certainly made this challenge a snap.  I didn't have to do anything different today then in most days.  Oh, I know, I'm something to do something above the norm....but I do the listed examples everyday already because I LOVE to treat Ron.  He's fun to spoil.

Gotta love that man!  It's impossible not to.

Next Challenge:  Dare 16


Begin praying today for your spouse's heart.  Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in your spouse's life and in your marriage.

John 9:31  Now we know that God heareth not sinners; but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Day 14 - Just Hanging with the Man

I took the challenge to devote an evening to Ron head on.  I skipped "Dancing With the Stars" with my Momma and followed Ron around like a puppy.

"What do you want", he finally asked me?

"You"!  I replied.

"Oh" he said.

So, he told me that he needed to go save some coral in his fish tank.  I finished up a few after dinner tasks and joined him in the Den.   He was busy, so he didn't talk, and I didn't want to distract him, so I didn't talk either.  I had my phone - so I played a few games.  Started nodding off.  Got up and made the guest bed and straightened up.  Then I grabbed my computer and helped Ron look up the type of mushroom he found the other day.

WOW! That's some mushroom, eh?

Anyway....I just spent time with him.  It t'was nice.  I want to do that at least once a week.

....and I caught the last 10 minutes of "Dancing With the Stars", which was just enough to find out who got voted out.....so it wasn't even a sacrifice.  Maybe I will need to make sure that I'm truly being dedicated and not just throwing Ron the scraps.  I really do want to make him first.


Next Challenge:  Dare 15


Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine.  It may be holding the door for him.  It might be putting his clothes away for him.  It may be the way you listen and speak in your communication.  Show your mate that he is highly esteemed in your eyes.


Jeremiah 30:19  And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry; and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

Day Thirteen - Let's get these rules straight, buddy!

Check, check, check!  Ron and I established our 'Rules of Engagement" for any future disagreements:

1.  Try to find common ground

2.  Someone doesn’t have to be wrong for one to be right

3.  Silence doesn’t solve anything

4.  Work on not speaking for the other person

Fair 'nuff.

Next challenge -

Dare #14 - Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse.  Do something he or she would love to do or a project they'd really like to work on.  Just be together.

Proverbs 23;26 - My son, give me thine heart and let thine eyes observe my ways. 

Day Twelve - Ron's number one!

So yesterday's instructions were to place Ron's desires first - and to "give in" on any disagreement.

That's such an interesting term, because when I feel like I'm 'giving in' it also makes me feel like I'm 'loosing out'.  That's a big problem, and one that I need to be clearly aware is happening.  So I was determined not to allow the "what about me" attitude to invade my thinking.

An opportunity did arise - quite nicely, actually.  Ron has been REALLY wanting to buy a new and far superior fish tank.  Haven't really liked the idea, I'll be honest.  I'm far too cheap for expenses.  But he saw this super duper model and he's in love.

"What do you think of this deal," he asked me last night?

"I think it's completely up to you and I support you 100% in your decision," I replied.

He wrote the seller back and said "I'll take it!".

Then, after a terrible night's sleep he said "No, I can't."

So, does that nullify the challenge?  Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

NEXT Challenge - Dare #13

Talk with your spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement.  If your mate is not ready for this, then write out your own personal rules to "fight" by.  Resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs.

Romans 12:16  Be of the same mind one toward another.  Mind not high things, but condenscend to men of low estate.  Be not wise in your own conceits.

Day 11 - Meeting Needs

Knowing that I'm being challenged about Ron's needs, again - and recognizing that I live my life addressing Ron's needs, I obviously need to go further in this challenge - I need to see the purpose and the lesson in this challenge. 

The scriptural reference to this one confused me at first.  Mark 10:51. 

At first, it seemed disjointed and unrelated.  But I read it again. 

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?

The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

Well, OF COURSE that is exactly what I was asking.

So, hopefully by turning my thoughts towards the needs of my beloved - and with JOY, I will receive my sight.

Tommorrow's Challenge:

Dare 12:  Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse.  Tell them you are putting their preference first.

Romans 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (even Ron - lol)

Day Ten - Something Extrordinary

So I had to come up with quite a challenge.  Doing something that would really say "I love you" through doing something I don't normally do.  I do a lot, because I love to do a lot.  But there is something I'm not at all fond of.  I am embarrassed to say that I do not like working on his fish tank at all.  It is.....mossy and squishy and gross and I get gaggy just thinking about it.

On the way out of the door, Ron saw that the fish tank was really low on water and asked me if I would take the time to put water in.  It's not a hard job, but it's something I would have wanted to avoid.  So it seemed perfect.  I said yes... with a smile!

Again, nothing big, but I was happy to see how easy it was to - and I feel blessed.

Tomorrow's challenge is:

Dare 11:  What need does your spouse have that you could meet today?  Can you run an errand?  Give a back rub or foot massage?  Is there housework you could help with?  Choose a gesture that says, "I cherish you" and do it with a smile.

Mark 10:51  And Jesus answered and said unto him, What willt thou that I should do unto thee?  The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.