D22's Response

This is one of those hard challenges. Not so much because it's hard to find positive things to say about my husband, but because if frustrated, tired or in need of placing blame, it's easy to say negative things. I think the negative things I say usually follow along the lines of rolling my eyes in front of my sisters or close friends if he does something that goes against how I would do it and then (cringe) possibly even saying something about how he's "being such a man".

I went through a bad men-bashing stage when I was in my late teen years after my highschool sweetheart broke my heart. I was so bitter and angry and found a reason to turn any situation into a way for me to speak negatively about men in general. My dad finally spoke up and said he'd had enough and was tired of listening to me pour out such words of general disgust for no one in particular, joining in with the tired tirades of angry feminists everywere. It stopped me verbally at first and then God worked to heal my heart so the bashing stopped inside my heart as well.

Which, this is the key - it starts in my heart. Before I ever say a word or roll an eye. Keeping my mouth shut only does so much good if my heart is brimming with negativity and criticism. The negativity can't stop short of my words. It must stop short of making any stay inside my heart. Because eventually what fills my heart will flow out and into my words and actions. My husband will notice it (or hear about it) and so will friends and family.

I pray the image those around us have of him, through any effect I have had with my words and actions, are of the true nature of who he is - an amazing husband and father, full of integrity, love and grace, and a desire to grow and learn and love better each day.