Encouragement has been an area that naturally comes to me for the most part. I have always enjoyed writing encouraging notes to friends and surprising them with goodies every once in a while just letting them know I am praying for them and thinking about them that particular day. But I have noticed that encouraging your spouse can take more discipline and can be more difficult at times. I reckon this is true because you live with them and see their flaws. But like a previous day shared that should draw me to my knees to pray for the very personal matters that I only know about rather than discouraging them and not being a supportive spouse. God has created me to be the helpmate to Sweetheart and part of my special role includes encouraging him consistently through a variety of ways. Verbal affirmation is great and men need to hear their wives respect them. But I could also jot a note and leave it somewhere in the house to run across one day. I could spend serious time with God praying for Him to protect and encourage Sweetheart as only He can do. Or I could even be more creative and plan an evening that is all about me expressing my love and appreciation to Sweetheart for the way he protects me, provides for us, supports me, and loves me. This last idea I think I should just take some time and after the holidays are over and everything settles down Sweetheart and I just might have a special night of encouragement! Heavenly Father, I pray that my words, my actions, and even my thougths would be an encouragement to Sweetheart. Allow me to invest in him and build his confidence in You. I love you Jesus! In Jesus' name, Amen.