Do you love well?

Hello Beloved Readers!

The next few blog entries are generated from excerpts from "Simply Romantic Nights," published by FamilyLife. We were given this gift by a young couple - Heather and Glen, when Paul and I were married about 10 years. It has been a source of ideas and information on making marriage an adventure every day of our lives. I recently picked up this resource again. The truths contained herein about marriage are tried and true. I will do my best to share the truths with you and share practical ways that you can apply them in your marriages. Enjoy this adventure!!

Listen to this:

"In Portland, a 53-year-old wife discovers a rose in the driver's seat of her car.

A 29-year-old wife in Little Rock is sent on a scavenger hunt for her birthday.

In Rochester, a 42-year-old husband arrives home after work to find the house filled with candles and the children elsewhere." (p.9)

In Bethlehem, this 57-year-old woman snatches her husband away for a weekend away - to a Bethlehem hotel......

I have learned, that if I want my marriage to flourish and be intimate on all levels - I need to love well. I need to be purposeful and planned when it comes to my marriage. Both Paul and I have committed to this idea. And, we become closer and closer every single day of our marriage.

I recently saw my friend Melanie and her husband taking a walk. As we passed, she shouted, "We are working on our marriage! This is our talking time!" And away they went... talking and sharing.... together.

I went to my sister, Cheri's house last Saturday. She and her husband had just gotten back from their regular Saturday morning rendezvous. She said, "I cannot believe how important this time is! I can't believe that we have put this off at times."

Learn to love well. You will not believe the benefits; to each of you and to your families.

People are watching, observing.... What are we showing them?

What is a "lady's man?"

Hello Beloved Readers!

It has been a few months since I have posted - but I have been gathering material, so be ready for some more regular postings. :)

This one is about a "ladies' man." What is a "ladies' man" anyway?

Paul and I were sitting in the kitchen taking some time to just be together and talk. We were reflecting about our sons and how they have been so mature, helpful, and sacrificial around the house. Mark has helped with the gardening (even cancelling an appointment to watch the Yankees!), takes the videos back to Red Box without being asked etc. Scott cleaned up the basement after the rain - water in the basement - without being asked to help out etc. They definitely see themselves as a contributing member to this household. This conversation lead Paul to remember a Cheers! episode that he will never forget. This is Paul's memory of the scene: Sam, the bar's owner was a well-known "Casanova." Norm was talking to Diane and mentioned that, "Sam is a ladies' man!" Diane replied, "No Norm, Sam is not a lady's man. A real lady's man is a man who goes home to his wife and family every night... a man who really loves his wife... That's a REAL lady's man."

Hmmmmm - this got me to thinking and researching. I "googled" lady's man. What did I find? Nothing about a REAL lady's man. Page after page was about the "world's" definition of a "ladies' man." Just let your own imaginations go in that direction for a moment......and the results of those kinds of actions......

So - who is a REAL lady's man? I know my husband is my man and I am his "lady!" He absolutely loves me... all that is lovable about me and all that is not :). He thinks of me, sacrifices for me and truly wants to be with me.

How do I feel around my Lady's Man? I feel loved, affirmed, secure, contented, and actually adored. I am blessed by his "strength" of character. I feel like a Lady!

To my Beloved sons and male readers - be a Lady's Man. Know your woman. Love her. Sacrifice for her. And you will be a strong, masculine, REAL LADY'S MAN!

Ephesians 5:28 and 29