Wanna good read?

Have you wanted to read a GOOD book lately?

I have.

I also have a secret. And I'm going to admit it here and now.

I like self-help books.

I read 'em. All the time. Sometimes they work. Other times, they don't. But it doesn't stop me from trying to constantly "improve" myself.

Which, you wouldn't think it to read the title. Because if you read the fine print at the bottom of the book it says...

"Helping your husband take the spiritual lead at home."

So technically, its like I'm reading a self-help book for Stann. Kind of. But mostly it was for me and how I can take a better approach at helping Stann rise up to his potential.

Not that he isn't wonderful already. Because he is.

He'd have to be some kind of wonderful to put up with me for NINE years...!

I loved it though. It was really, truly insightful, and nothing too new....or stuff that I didn't already know. But it did give me the answers to a lot of "why" questions I'd had.

Most of it was basically saying....if you want your husband to take the lead at home....Let him. Set up the circumstances that will allow him to preside and be able to truly act as a patriarch in the home.

Don't nag, either. Doesn't work. (I knew that though).

Praise him for all that he does do. Make him want to be home! (I forget this a lot as I unload on him about my day as he walks through the door. I'm gonna be better about this!)

My one (or two out of thousands of) flaw(s): I take the lead away from him sometimes. I forget that he is the patriarch of the home. (He's the one thats supposed to pick who says the prayer...)

I forget that as I completely take control and try to stick to our schedule. (I'm a stickler for schedules...)

And if I want him to take charge of FHE and scripture study....I need to allow him to rise to it. By setting up the circumstances (aka getting everything in order and ready...) and allow him to lead us. He's a good leader. I ought to know. It was one of the reasons I chose him.

Or rather....I chose him because of all the good qualities he has inside him. Steadiness. Honesty. Courage. Leadership. Hardworker. Kind. Loving. Gentle. Handsome too. But I digress....

It was just such a good reminder about how we (as spouses) should treat each other.

Of course I'm forgetting a lot. There was a lot of information in a really tiny book! (It only took a couple of hours to read...)

And I'm not saying that as women we're just supposed to cater to our husbands needs and that they have the only input.

I mean, seriously? Could you ever see me in a subservient role?! C'mon! (If you could, you obviously don't know me that well. It wouldn't work. I have a little more backbone than that. Anyone with the last name of Hammons can confirm that.)

I'm talking about cheering for our mates. (I'm a great cheerleader.) :D Constantly offering praise and encouragement. And working together as a team. That's all.

It also says in the back....if you want a book for your husbands to read....about rising to their potential inside....it's already out there in print:

MEN OF VALOR by Robert L. Millet.

And I quote John Bytheway on how you should and should not approach it...

"Honey, this book is called Men of Valor. This is what I wish you'd be." EHHH! WRONG!

Instead try something like,

"Honey, I saw this book, and I thought you might enjoy it because the title describes you."

I'm pretty sure he's right....in that you'll get better results with the second approach.

But it was just such a good read! And a good reminder, too.

Hope you like it.

And if you want, you can borrow my copy. LOL.