THE RELATIONSHIP CHALLENGE. [Day 8]

*PLEASE NOTE: This blog is intended for a mature audience. It does contain some sexual content. It is directed towards adults in a mature relationship. 

I saw this on Pinterest yesterday and of course, it has inspired me. 

You might remember that I wrote about husbands and wives the other day in my daily devotional, but I wanted to take things a step further today and not just talk about things, but actually DO something.

According to the American Psychological Association, about 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States divorce. (APA) Can you believe that almost half of the people that marry in the US will eventually get a divorce? Those are some high numbers..

and I refuse to be a statistic.

Of course, we can say that we don't want to be a statistic, but we have to put feet on our faith and be proactive. 

I want to issue a CHALLENGE. A HUSBAND/WIFE CHALLENGE. (Even if you aren't married, substitute husband/wife for fiance or boyfriend/girlfriend.)

I typically direct my blogs towards women, but men--you can participate too!

I don't want to be a statistic. I don't want a divorce to be in my future because I didn't love on my husband enough... because I didn't spend enough time with him... because I didn't compliment him... because I didn't do special things for him. I want to work hard.. I want to pray hard... I want to love hard. I want my marriage to last for a lifetime.

See, I'm very much in love with my husband. I love being with him. I love being next to him. I miss him when he is at work all day. I love feeling him next to me when we are sleeping. I love laughing together. I love that we have a family together. I am in love with him. But I want that love to always grow! 

We don't want to become stagnant in our marriages. Have you ever saw or smelled stagnant waters? According to the Center for Disease Control, diseases can be carried in these waters. They smell. They are not healthy for you. Don't become a 'stagnant marriage!' Lets FIGHT together! 

Are you and your husband having problems? Or are you a happily married couple? Are you and your husband finding yourselves fighting about everything? Or can you not remember the last time you fought?

Regardless, you can always work on your marriage.

My husband and I haven't always had the 'best marriage.' We have had our fair share of downfalls. We have had arguments. Brought up the past one too many times. Yelled at each other. Slammed doors. Said things we didn't mean... but we fight every day to make our marriage better... and that's what I want us all to do with this challenge.

So, here it is. For the next 14 DAYS (2 WEEKS), we are going to focus on our RELATIONSHIPS. Every day will be something that will bring us closer together. It may seem small, but trust me-- it will build. I am going to participate too because I find myself just wanting to show my husband how much I love him.. even more!

Please don't be scared to  participate. You don't even have to share with me that you are (although I would love to hear about it!!) Do this for your husband. Do this because you want to show him how much he means to you. Do this because you want a healthy marriage. Do this because sometimes we get so caught up in the busyness of life that we forget even that big, strong man needs love and encouragement too!

Are you ready?

DAY 1: FLIRT WITH YOUR HUSBAND. (August 8th, 2013) That's right, ladies. Do you remember the first time you saw your husband? Where were you? How did you meet? How did he look? What was he dressed like? What made you want to pursue him? Remember that and focus on that. Remember how you used to flirt with him before you were married? Did you play footsie? Did you leave him playful text messages? Did you write him notes? Did you smack his butt? Whatever it was, DO IT AGAIN. Remember what it was like to be young.. go back there. Flirt with him all over again.

DAY 2: GREET YOUR HUSBAND AT THE DOOR. (August 9th, 2013) If it's possible, greet your husband at the door whether it's when he gets home from work, gets home from ball practice, or gets home from running errands. Greet him at the door. This might sound so small, but trust me.. it will build so much. I remember when I stopped doing that. I didn't even know that my husband recognized that I did it. And I quit. After about 2 weeks of going about my day and just yelling 'hello' from the kitchen, he sat down and said, "Why don't you greet me at the door anymore? You used to kiss me and hug me as soon as I walked in.. is something wrong?" And I proceeded to tell him that I didn't know it meant anything to him. So, he began to tell me how much he appreciated it every day.. and I greeted him every day. (Still do!)

DAY 3: COOK HIM HIS FAVORITE MEAL (August 10th, 2013) I know you're busy. I know I posted this on a Saturday which might make it a little more difficult (or a little more easier?) But try it! What is your husband's favorite meal? It can be breakfast, lunch, or dinner... or even a snack. Doesn't matter. What is it?? Ask him to watch the kids for a little bit, head to the store, buy all of the stuff you need, and make it for him. Does he have a favorite drink to go with it? Orange Juice, Coke, a beer? Make it just for him. 

DAY 4: DO ONE OF HIS FAVORITE ACTIVITIES TOGETHER (August 11th, 2013) What does your husband LOVE to do? Is it softball? Golfing? Running? Playing video games? Whatever it is, take a little bit of time out of your day and do something with him. If you have children and you cannot get a babysitter, figure out what one of his favorite activities at home would be and do that. I know for my husband, he would enjoy going out to the softball fields. Or he'd enjoy going to the gym with me. You know your husband better than anyone. You know what he loves to do. Imagine how much he'll love doing that activity WITH you. 

DAY 5: TALK TO EACH OTHER ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS THROUGH YOUR WEEK, SOMETHING THAT IS BOTHERING YOU, ETC. (August 12th, 2013) This might sound so simple, but you would be surprised how many couples don't really talk to each other. They sit with each other at night watching TV or playing on their laptops, but they don't TALK. We ran in to a couple not too long ago that said, "I don't remember the last time we just sat down and had a conversation together. We're too busy." Here's the thing about that: God NEVER intended for us to be so busy that we forgot about our mates. NEVER. If you are too busy to talk to your husband (or your children, friends, family..) you are TOO BUSY. Take some time out of your Monday to talk to him. He needs that and you do too!

DAY 6: PRAY FOR YOUR HUSBAND. (August 13th, 2013) Nothing can bring a couple together more than PRAYER. I will be honest with you here. We have a prayer altar at our local church where we can write specific needs down and lay them on the altar. It isn't so people can go through and read them... you don't even have to write your names on them. It's just an act of symbolism. It's laying your needs at the altar before Jesus Christ. Now, my marriage wasn't suffering. It wasn't even 'iffy.' But you can NEVER have a perfect marriage. There is always room for improvement. So, I wrote 'My Marriage' on a piece of paper and laid it on the altar. We must always pray for our husbands, ladies. Pray for him to remove evil things from his eyes. Pray for him to withstand the temptations that come with this world. Pray for him to have strength. Pray for him to be the husband and father that you need. Pray for him to have a good day at work. Pray for him to have blessings on his life. Pray for his health. Pray for a promotion at work. PRAY PRAY PRAY. Spend your day thinking about him and seeking God's face for him.

DAY 7: LISTEN TO 'YOUR SONG' TOGETHER. (August 14th, 2013) Do you have a song together? I know my husband and I have had a few down through the years. When we first got together, when he called me, 'Smile' by Uncle Kracker would play. "You make me smile like the sun, fall outta bed..." It's how I felt about him. And then as our relationship progressed, the song became "Crazy Girl" by Eli Young Band. "Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you? I wouldn't dream of going no where..." That's the song we danced to at our wedding reception and ever since then, it's been "our song." Play the songs from your past that remind you of your husband. You might have a couple.. play those together and reminisce. 

DAY 8: GO FOR A WALK TOGETHER (August 15th, 2013) Once again, this probably sounds SO simple, but going for a walk together means one thing: Holding hands. I remember when I first started dating my husband, I loved touching him whether it was hugging him, holding his hand, kissing him. Do you remember those days? When he was taking you home after a date and all you could do was rub the back of his neck, rub his hand, hold his hand. You just loved touching him. You'd stand at the front porch hugging for what seemed like hours because you didn't want to let him go. Don't lose that. Go for a walk. Rub the back of his neck. Hold his hand. Rub his hands. Love on him.

DAY 9: BUY HIM SOMETHING SPECIAL (August 16th, 2013) Don't worry, ladies. I'm not saying you have to go out and buy him a new car. Or really anything expensive. Go out and purchase something that says, "I thought about you while I was out today." I remember one day I went to the store and I saw his favorite drink. And it was on sale-- 2 for $2.00. Couldn't beat that! So, I came home with two of them. You should have seen the smile on his face-- for only $2.00! But it was because it was his FAVORITE!! It didn't matter how much I spent. It was the thought that counted. Think about something your husband might want or appreciate and purchase it for him today. Let him know you were thinking about him.

DAY 10: THANK HIM (August 17th, 2013) Take some time to thank your husband for the blessings he has helped provide in your life. Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have a vehicle? Do you have luxuries? Does your husband work hard every day to help with these? Do you have children with him? Does he say sweet things about you? Does he surprise you with random things sometimes? Does he cook for you? Whatever it is, THANK HIM for it. You will see a change in his spirit. Thankfulness reaps blessings. If you aren't thankful for what you have now.. why would you be thankful with anything else? Be thankful. Always. Let your husband know how much you appreciate all he does for you and your family.

DAY 11: LET YOUR HUSBAND SLEEP IN. (August 18th, 2013) If your husband is anything like my husband, he gets up early. My husband usually gets up between 330am-430am for work. And for someone that enjoys spending time with his family in the evening, he doesn't always get to bed at 8/9pm. Is your husband in the same routine? If so, let him sleep in! Once the kids wake up, take them out to the living room and leave him sleeping peacefully. Don't even set an alarm for him. Just let him sleep and get his rest. Men carry so much on their shoulders (and I know women do too. Believe me, I'm there!) But I know men carry the weight of bills, money, etc. on their shoulders. Rest and sleep are so healthy for them! Let him sleep in today. He needs it. 

DAY 12: PLEASE HIM SEXUALLY (August 19th, 2013) Whether or not you enjoy sex, we all know that it is a part of a relationship. Men need it and desire it. Hopefully all of you women out there do too! Regardless, take time today to please your husband sexually. Change things up a little bit. What would he think if you came on to him? Or how about teasing him a little bit? Get a shower with him first. Massage him. Whatever it takes, get the spark started. And then let the mood take you wherever it does. Play some music to get you in that 'sexy mood.' Wear something naughty. Don't be shy-- please him. Take your husband to ecstasy. We've gotten so accustomed to BUSYNESS in our society today. I'm too busy. I have kids. I work all of the time. We work different shifts. Doesn't matter, folks. You want a strong, healthy marriage? Sex should be a part of it. It connects you not only physically, but spiritually. I hate to say it like this, but oftentimes if a spouse isn't getting it at home, they will look elsewhere. They want to feel sexy. They want to feel wanted and needed. Make your husband feel that today. Make him feel wanted. Make him feel masculine. 

DAY 13: WRITE DOWN YOUR FEELINGS FOR HIM. READ THEM TO HIM. (August 20th, 2013) This might seem a little awkward to you if you aren't comfortable with expressing your feelings or writing them out, but it is so healthy to do. Share things with him. Express things to your husband. Talk about how far you have come in your relationship. Tell him what you love about him. Tell him how attractive he is to you. Reminisce about your early days. Use you words to remember why you fell in love. It is so important to do this. Why did you fall in love with him? What were the little things that made you want to marry him? What were the big things? Tell him. Sometimes we get so caught up in wanting our spouse to change to meet our specifications that we forget the tiny things that made us fall for them in the first place.

DAY 14: GO ON A DATE. (August 21st, 2013) Lets end this journey with a BANG. Go on a date with your spouse. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Make a picnic dinner and go somewhere with a blanket and enjoy it. Get a baby sitter and go to a classy restaurant. Go to McDonalds and get your favorite burger. Whatever works for you two... do it! Spend quality time together. Go to the movies. Go shopping. Go for a drive. It doesn't have to cost you a penny-- just go on a date and spend time together. My husband always says that he wants to go on a date where we take his truck to a secluded spot with a blanket and just lay there and talk. What would your husband enjoy? Whatever it is. Do that today. 

Folks, we have to stop being so dang busy. I can't stand hearing that. 'We are so busy. We never have time for each other.' THEN STOP IT. Stop being so busy. What do you have if you gain a great job that you are at 24/7... extracurricular activities that you are at in your spare time... but lose the love of your life and your family? It isn't worth it. In the next 14 days, lets focus on the LOVE OF OUR LIFE. Lets put everything else on the backburner these next 2 weeks and just LOVE them. It's necessary, vital, and so worth it!

Will you join me in this challenge? I sure hope you will!Take time to appreciate them these next 2 weeks. 

THEY ARE WORTH IT.

YOUR RELATIONSHIP IS WORTH IT.

Angry, Mad, Discontent Prayer. Does it Exist? [Day 7]

Trials are not a respecter of persons. They could care less if you have a million dollars in your bank account or $5.00 to your name. They aren't concerned with whether or not you went to college. They aren't going to stay away if you drive a brand new car or wear the finest clothes. They will meet you face to face... regardless.

I'll be honest with you. I've had my fair share of trials in my 26 years. Sure, I might not have had difficult ones in some people's eyes, but I have struggled. I struggled for years with anxiety (and still do at times. It's a constant battle.)

Here's the thing I want us to grasp about trials.

Sometimes, they are brought in to our lives to help US. 

Sometimes, they are brought in to our lives to help OTHERS.

Unfair, huh?

Why should YOU have to go through something to benefit someone else? 

It's called being a BLESSING.

I'll use myself for example.

Like I previously stated, I have struggled with Anxiety for years. I dealt with it as a teenager. I think 8th grade was the first time I really encountered it. My breathing would get all off.. I would feel like I couldn't catch my breath. I honestly have no idea what triggered it. I just know I faced it. It was only something that happened periodically through high school, but when college came along, it all went down hill. I'm not sure if it was the huge change that took place.. and I was struggling to handle it or what.. but regardless, I ended up dropping out of college in December 2006. I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I transferred to a local college in January 2007, but still struggled to keep my head above the water. One day during my math class, the girl next to me had a seizure. I quickly packed my bags, walked out the door, ran to my car crying... trying to catch my breath, drove away, and never came back. I dropped out again. Fortunately, I was able to get enrolled in to an online school in February 2007-- the only way I was going to get my degree. I maintained online school and still worked as a waitress for a few years, but everything really started going down hill in 2009. Around June 2009, I started calling off constantly. Anxiety was overwhelming me at work as well. It was slowly stripping everything away from me. In September 2009, I was let go. And then everything fell apart. I refused to leave the house some time after that.

And you know the story about meeting my husband and him changing my world. If you don't read THIS. 

Today, I can go in to public. I am running a successful photography business, but I still struggle to go to stores and doctors offices alone. 

The question I faced now was: WHY

Why did I have to go through this? Why was I picked? Why can't I control my mind like I want to? Why can't I just shut my brain off sometimes? Why do I think I have every disease known to man? Why do I get scared thinking about certain things? WHY.

Then the question was WHAT.

What can I learn from this? What is the point? What was the purpose? What if I never get better?

I sought His face for the longest time. I needed understanding. I'll admit it, folks. I questioned Him. I'm not one of those 'always happy when I'm talking to God' people. I'm raw. I kind of feel like David a bit. It's not always roses and butterflies. It's REAL. Some might say, 'You shouldn't be like that towards the Almighty...' but He's my FRIEND. I'm real with my friends. I'm real with Him. If I am hurt, I tell Him. If I am angry, I tell Him. Here's the thing, guys... HE ALREADY KNOWS ;) He knows you're mad. He knows you're frustrated. He knows you're hurt. He knows you're confused... go ahead and tell Him. He wants that. He wants you to be honest with Him. Of course, we could be like the Pharisees--- go by the status quo. But how is that TRUE WORSHIP? How is that TRUE PRAYER?

So, I got angry with God. I yelled at Him. I've screamed at the top of my lungs how mad I was at Him. I've been standing on the stairs at my parent's house screaming.

YOU LEFT ME! YOU DON'T CARE AT ALL! YOU DON'T WANT TO HELP ME! YOU'RE JUST CONTENT LEAVING ME WHERE I'M AT! WHY!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU?! YOU SAID YOU WERE ALWAYS HERE. YOU LIED! WHO ARE YOU HELPING THAT YOU CAN'T HELP ME??? 

Yes, I said all of that to Him.

And you know what?

He listened to me.. and responded with COMPASSION.

He took me through a journey and gave me a revelation:

You're doing this for others.

Not to put myself on a pedestal, but I like to think of myself as a pretty strong person. I can have a lot on plate and not crack. He built me that way. And He showed me that. I'll never forget the day that He told me, 'Some people will feel hopeless during this.. and feel they have no escape route. You know You have me. You trust in that even when I seem to be distant. Some people would not be able to handle this load.... You are getting stronger for them. Aren't they worth it, Alyssa? Isn't my creation worth it? Someone is going to need you to face this one day... Someone is going to need your advice... your wisdom... Someone is going to need your experience. Face it baby... you can do this!'

And my attitude changed from that day on.

Someone is going to need me one day. I have to be strong.

Instead of looking at your trials and sufferings as a 'curse'... look at them as a 'blessing' (as tough as it is.) God saw it fit to give you this journey because HE wants to use YOU!!!! He wants to use your experiences to help others that might not see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Baby, I know you might feel like you're drowning today, but you aren't. I promise you. There is a purpose even though you don't see it. I didn't see it for years, but through angry.... raw.... discontent... frustrated... mad prayer and worship...

I found it. 

It Hisses. [Day 6]

It is just as cowardly to judge an absent person as it is wicked to strike a defenseless one. Only the ignorant and narrow-minded gossip, for they speak of persons instead of things. [Lawrence G. Lovasik]

Will Rogers said, "The only time people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them."

I think the subject of 'gossip' makes some people feel uneasy. We all do it, right? I'm writing this today because I have done it. I'm not proud of it in the slightest, but I'm owning up to it. I've talked about people. Want me to take it a step further? I've slandered people's names. I've said things about people that I have heard from others.. and I didn't even know if it was true. Can you believe that? I'm one of those hear-sayers. You hear it.. you say it. I'm also one of those people that will talk about someone behind their back, but when it comes to face-to-face confrontation, I am a sweetheart (because I hate confrontation.) I've figured out that I gossip to make myself feel 'stronger' and more 'dominate.' See, I'm a quiet one. Okay, I'm not 'quiet' in the sense that I never talk... I'm 'quiet' in the sense that I don't like trouble. I'll back down immediately if I sense some kind of confrontation beginning to take place. I don't like it one bit. But gossip makes me feel strong and in control....... 

Maybe I'm the only one like this out there. But I can't help but feel there are others that struggle with this too. I know there are... because I hear it.

I'm one of them, but it makes me so mad when I hear it spewing out of other's mouths. There are moments when it physically makes me sick. Why can't we get control of this? Why can't we think about what we are getting ready to say before we say it?

Do you know what the Bible says about our words?

Proverbs 21:23-- Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 18:21--- Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Today, when you are getting ready to speak to your coworkers, your friends, your family... think about the fact that you could be giving LIFE or DEATH with your words. Are you tearing someone down with the words that you are speaking today? Are you hurting someone? Are you breaking someone's spirit? Are you breaking your own spirit? 

You might not know this... but gossip is a two-edged sword. Not only are you speaking words that could hurt someone (someone with feelings.. someone with a heart.. someone who was created by the Master)... you are also hurting your spirit. You are bringing uncleanness in to it. And it's not healthy for you.

As I previously said, I'm speaking to myself too.

We have got to QUIT this. We have got to STOP speaking ill about others, folks! It's a terrible thing to do. I don't care if this person isn't your friend. I don't care if this person has hurt you. It's no reason to speak ill about them. If they are talking bad about you-- let God handle it! He's much better at this stuff than we are. 

If you've been known to gossip in the past, it's okay-- ask for forgiveness. He has His arms open wide waiting for you. I'm one of them-- I'm pouring my heart out to Him today about how sorry I am. How could I have been like that? How could I have forgotten that it was wrong to speak ill about others? I wish we would all just grasp the fact that these people we are talking about our HUMANS... with a SOUL. They have a heart... and we must guard that. We must give life!

I don't want people talking about me.. truth or not-truth. Why do I do it about others?

Also-- a little sidenote. I've heard 'gossip' masked with other names before, but it doesn't cut it folks. I've heard, "I'm only telling you this so you can pray for them." Bologna. The Bible doesn't say go tell someone and then pray about it. You know what the Bible says? PRAY ABOUT IT. It doesn't say go tell 50 people about it and have them pray. It says YOU should PRAY ABOUT IT. So, stop masking gossip! Stop making yourself feel better about spreading lies... or spreading hurtful truth. Leave it alone. It's none of your business.

We need to all be focused on our lives-- making ourselves better. Imagine how different our world would be if we kept our noses where they belong. None of us our perfect.. so stop judging others. And stop talking about others.

It's not of Him.

“My Name Is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.

The more I am quoted the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.

To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody's friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments and ruin marriages. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartache and indigestion. I spawn suspicion and generate grief.

I make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my name hisses. I AM CALLED GOSSIP.”

[Author Unknown]