What happens when it feels like you've hit rock bottom?

Recently it felt like I hit rock bottom in my marriage. While we have been thriving in many areas of life, our marriage had hit a point in which it was do or die. 

What I mean by that was, I'm sure at some point most relationships hit that flight or fight point. We had ours and I must say it was scary and painful and relieving. It scary because no person gets married thinking it could end. It was painful because you have to face yourself, the good, the bad, and the ugly. But it was relieving because we were able to talk about quite a few things and recommit ourselves to the vows we took.

Marriage can be so beautiful if we move out the way and do it God's way. Another thing we have to remember, and I had to realize, is that marriage is a place of servitude. Especially as a wife. As we are called to be helpers. Our husbands are not our helpers and I think that's where many of us go wrong, thinking he's supposed to consistently do whatever to help us. NO. It's the other way around! We are to shift around him, doing whatever is necessary to help him to realize the vision he has for the family.

I will admit, I did NOT always get this. There were many days in which I would expect my husband to work a 12-hour shift then come home to help out with the kids. Talk about selfish! Mind you I did not work. And now? I have a new perspective, on days that he works I do not expect him to come home from work to help with the kids. I expect him to come home to relax and enjoy his evening before going to bed. I expect to serve him in any way I can.

I am not the perfect wife, as much as I wish I were. LOL. I will admit however that I strive to be the Proverbs 31 wife. And I implore every wife reading this to stop thinking of herself first, put God first then your husband. Think of his needs, his likes and dislikes. Think of how you can help him and if you don't know on your own, GO ASK. And when he answers actually do it. Regardless to if it requires to wake up extra early, get it done. Your marriage will thank you later.

So tell me how are you a helper to your husband? Or how do you intend to become a helper to your husband?

Let's Grow in Christ together!!

~Kris

Women Living Well

Ever have that one blog you enjoy? Well I happen to enjoy Women Living Well and Good Morning Girls, the founder of both blogs, Courtney Joesph has written a BOOK! And it launched YESTERDAY!!!! You can order it on Thomas Nelson website or find it at your favorite bookstore!

 

The book is entitled Women Living Well and its about just THAT. It's geared towards women who want to live, who may need direction in different areas in their lives. I personally have enjoyed this book as a member of the book launch team. 

One of the things that I have gleaned from reading this book has been that it is more than important to take time for self because if I burn out how can I be of help to my husband. Another thing that I have gleaned is how important it is to respect my husband but also the ways that disrespect comes across. I also love that Courtney addresses motherhood in such a way that it does not make mothers feel guilty for their own specific way in raising their children but she gently encourages us to manage our homes without becoming an iron fist and to customize our homes to our specific family members. What may work for my home may not work for the next person. For example, it works best for my family that I don't work although to help out with our current savings plan I do work part-time and only on days that my husband does not work because our children are fully homeschooled.

I like that much of what Courtney blogs about is in her book. Its not as if she deviated from her fan base and what we regularly read on her blog. A great extra that is in Women Living Well is the Completing Him Marriage Challenge, it is a 2 week challenge (5 days per week). It's goal is to help us wives gain a better relationship with our husbands.
The book is sectioned off into four different parts (Your walk with the King, Your marriage, Your parenting, and Your Homemaking) with each section having about 3 chapters within it. I don't really have a favorite portion of the book as each section has very applicable information and I guess its even more so applicable because my home life is set up very similar as Courtney does not work outside of the home, I've only done it for the last 3 months and I will soon stop working outside of the home. I have also enjoyed the companion study guide that Courtney created to go along with the book as the questions reenforces what I've read.

I recommend this book to EVERY wife. It should be apart of your arsenal of books that help you as a wife, mom, and woman to personally grow.

I personally do not have a giveaway going HOWEVER here are a list of blogs who does:
http://www.irisparr.com/2013/09/women-living-well-review-and-giveaway.html 
http://www.sara.rrusselljr.com/women-living-well-a-review-and-a-giveaway 
http://www.jenifermetzger.org/2013/10/women-living-well-giveaway.html 
http://cacinance.blogspot.com/2013/10/giveaway-part-1-your-walk-with-king.html 
http://beechembrightspots.blogspot.com/2013/10/women-living-well-giveaway.html 
http://www.destinationproverbs22six.blogspot.com/2013/10/women-living-well-review-and-giveaway.html 
 

{FYI: I received this book for being a member of the Women Living Well Book Launch Team and as a member of the Booksneeze prgram through Thomas Nelson (the publisher)!}