Give This One Wrapped in a Hug and a Kiss

My Beloved doesn't ask for much. At this time of year, when I'm begging him to tell me what he'd like to find under the tree, he has to work at an answer. And even then, there aren't any big items that are simply unthinkable.

Meanwhile, he wants to make sure that my gifts outnumber everyone else's. It's just his way of honoring me, and the children have picked up on that, too. On Christmas day, when we're opening our gifts one by one, I'm usually the last one to finish. It's a bit embarrassing.

A dear loved one offered me enough Christmas money that I could actually think of redecorating our very small kitchen. New paint. Painted doors. Curtains. Hardware. I was dreaming big in my mind. And as frugally as possible.

Of course, then there's my Amazon wish-list. It's mostly books.

I couldn't decide.

So, I asked my Beloved what I should do. I was surprised that he said to go for the books, and we'd do the kitchen soon. My oldest sons guessed right away that that's what he said. I have a feeling they'll treat their wives like princesses, too.

It doesn't take long to think about all of the ways our husbands give to us every day. Too often our gratitude for those little things they do gets lost in the midst of our busy days, and we forget to sing out praises for our husbands.

"Praise is better than wheat germ for even the least vain of men, and every wife ought to keep a supply in her pocket ready to scatter like manna."
~Phyllis McGinley

So, this year why not make a lovely list of all the things your husband does to make your life richer. And have your children do this, too. (And then make a list for each of your children.) I think it will be one of the most favorite gifts under the tree.

But don't stop there. Resolve in the new year to praise your husband and children every day for at least one thing.

His faithfulness. His protective care over you. His leading your family in worship. His wrestling with the boys. His never making you put gas in your car. His adoration for your cooking. His never asking what you've done all day. :)

Their helpfulness. Their initiative. Their giving a soft answer. Their doing a job diligently. Their love for the Word.

Praise and encouragement wrapped up in hugs and kisses. One size fits all. Perfect gifts anytime of the year.

With love,
Trisha


***C.J. Mahaney encourages us to look for evidences of grace in each other. I love that term. And if you think it's easy, try it for a day. You'll notice that our flesh tends to focus on everything a person doesn't get right instead of the few things he does. In our home, we even ask each other to share the evidences of grace seen in each other that day, and sometimes we struggle to come up with one. We've learned that the praise muscle is one that must be exercised daily and blessed with God's grace to see Him at work in each other.