Validation

My son showed me this video on YouTube.

Use 15 minutes of your time - you'll feel good!

Know what makes your spouse feel special!

Recently I spent time with a couple who have been married for 53 years. They still hold hands.


As I sat with them following dinner I looked over, and their hands were clasped. 53 years married, 6 children, 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren - and they hold hands.


What's kept them together, holding hands, and respecting each other? Probably lots of things, however one story stood out.


They had six small children, one income, and times were tough. He worked hard in his profession, and also served as a minister on weekends and visited church members every evening. She was responsible for things at home.


Imagine being a young mom with your husband working all day, and helping other people on the weekends and during the evenings... Yet she knew she was special and valued - despite very little time or money. How?



After visiting church members into the late evening, he would stop by a convenience store and buy a coconut covered, individual sized cake. He would present it to her. Just her.


She called it a "ho-ho", and I've since learned its name is a Hostess® Sno Ball®. It became America’s most famous pink snack cake, and celebrates 60 years as one of America’s favorite treats.



So what really happened that she felt special? Was it the cake? Not really.


He made the conscious decision to think about her - and took action to show it.


When was the last time you deliberately took action to give something to your spouse they valued - to make them feel special?


Don't tell me you don't have the money. Money is not required. Knowledge of your spouse is ...


First - understand what your spouse values - what makes them feel special. Next, you need to take action.


Intimate Knowledge - then action. It's one way to encourage your spouse.

A summary - 7 ways to encourage your spouse.

Inspire with Hope -
"I believe we can build an incredible future together."

Fortify with Faith
"I contribute strength to your belief in God."

Foster with Unconditional Love
"I demonstrate creatively how much love, without limitations and conditions, weaves our life together."

Uplift with Persistent Prayer
"I pray for you, and with you, releasing everything into God's care."

Support with Joy filled Zeal
"I'm working beside you - with energy & a willing attitude - building a great life together."

Stimulate with New Insight
"I'm primed to provide new ideas and information to energize our life together."

Validate with Intimate Knowledge
"I know who you are. I know your needs, fears, joys & what motivates you. I value you."

Validate with Intimate Knowledge

Encouragement can come from knowing your spouse

- inside and out -

by being the person able to finish their sentences

and instinctively understand their motivations.

What if you could identify what your spouse needed - physically, mentally and emotionally? If you use intimate knowledge in a postive way, your ability to encourage will deepen - from a puddle to a bottomless well.

This is the 7th deliberate action to show positive encouragement.