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Family Blog

How to Love Your Wife Well

DAILY HUDDLE UMB

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25

We’ve been told over and over that husbands are called to love their wives. But what does this really mean? And what does this really look like? Well today, let’s talk through 3 things to love and appreciate about your wife.

  1. Love Her Patience: Start by being grateful for your wife’s patience. Though life is full of setbacks and unforeseen difficulties, your wife’s ability to remain patient is sure to foster peace for your family.
  2. Love Her Selflessness: Be sure to appreciate the way your wife selflessly serves your family…by cooking meals, helping your kids with homework, and keeping your home in order.
  3. Love Her Beauty: And finally, affirm your wife’s beauty. This means not only loving her outward appearance, but also knowing and loving her heart.

How else can we love our wives well? Comment below with your suggestions.


Posted on: March 14, 2024

 

The Power of Bitterness

Daily Huddle BITT

Bitterness is a much more powerful weapon than we realize. Why? Because when we harbor bitterness, it has the power to hold us back from reaching our full potential. So today, let’s examine the 3 ways bitterness is dangerous.

  1. Bitterness is Emotionally Draining. Holding onto unforgiveness drains us emotionally. How? Well for starters, it demands our attention and takes up space in our minds. Instead of focusing on ways to encourage others, we are stuck dwelling on the negativity in our life.
  2. Bitterness is Physically Exhausting. Oftentimes, bitterness puts unwanted stress and pressure on our bodies–prohibiting us from expending our energy in positive ways. We clench our fists, tense up our bodies, and narrow our eyes. Such physical stressors easily build up until we reach exhaustion.
  3. Bitterness is Not the Solution. If you’re experiencing bitterness, it’s because the story isn’t over yet! Bitterness is not the end goal God has in mind for his children. Instead, God wants us to experience freedom and grace from past mistakes. So be quick to let go of bitterness and cling to forgiveness.

How has bitterness affected your life? Comment below with your answer.


Posted on: March 07, 2024

 

Lauren and Tony Read to Kenly and Palm River Elementary Students

Lauren and Tony had a wonderful time reading last week at Kenly and Palm River Elementary Schools

We are grateful to Hillsborough County Public Schools to allow our foundation reading program to visit with second grade students every Thursday. It has been an awesome blessing, and we are very grateful.


Posted on: March 05, 2024

 

No Matter What

Daily Huddle GAME

There’s no doubt about it: Life is hard.

Why? Because there are so many potential trials you and your spouse may face in life…

  • You may face financial setbacks
  • You may face a lost job
  • You may face a rebellious teen
  • You may face a broken home
  • You may face an illness
  • You may face an addiction
  • You may face the death of a loved one

But there is one thing that can help you overcome this list: your spouse. Despite any difficulties you may face, your spouse is someone you can always trust, always love, and always cherish. Because no matter the outcome of the game, you are in it together.

What are some ways your spouse has helped you through a difficult time? Please share your story in a comment below.


Posted on: March 05, 2024

 

How to Make a Difference in Your Child’s Life

The impact you have on your child is immeasurable. So make it count!

Here are 3 simple ways to make a difference in your child’s life:

1. Take Your Daughter on a Date

All little girls crave validation. So show your daughter how much you value her by taking her on a date! Whether it’s biking around the neighborhood, packing a picnic, or going out to the movies, be sure to find something special for just the two of you.

2. Take Your Son Fishing

There’s nothing like a father-son fishing outing! Fishing is a great opportunity to talk to your son, teach him life lessons, and bond over a great catch.

3. Write Your Child a Letter

Most importantly, make a lasting difference in your child’s life by writing them a letter. Share why you’re proud of them, why you love them, and why you will ALWAYS be there for them.

 

What are some other ways to make a difference in your child’s life? We’d love to hear your idea in a comment below.


Posted on: February 29, 2024

 

Pride vs. Confidence

DAILY HUDDLE Pride

It’s a thin line between pride and confidence. All too easily, our healthy confidence develops into unhealthy pride. Not sure where your fall on the scale of confident to prideful? Just check out the list of phrases below to figure it out.

Prideful:

“No one makes burgers the way I do. They’re the best you’ll ever taste!”

“You can’t change your car oil? I’ve been changing oil since I was a teenager. It’s a breeze!”

“My son will win this game–no doubt about it. He’s the most talented quarterback in the state.”

Confident:

“Here, try some of my burgers! I spent all evening doing my best to grill them well.”

“I have experience changing car oil, so I’d love to help you out with yours.”

“My son is an incredibly hard-worker. I can’t wait to see him play his best in this game–win or lose.”

 

How would you define pride or confidence? Comment below with your answer!


Posted on: February 27, 2024

 

When Opposites Attract

Daily Huddle Marriage

We’ve all heard how romantic it can be when opposites attract.

But one of the hardest parts of marriage is dealing with your spouse’s differences…

  • Maybe you’re an extrovert and your spouse is an introvert.
  • Maybe you communicate best with your actions and your spouse communicates best with their words.
  • Maybe you love sports and your spouse loves books.

The list goes on and on. But today, let’s talk through how differences in marriage can be a blessing in disguise…

Differences Lead to Acceptance: Once we recognize how we’re different, we can come to better accept our spouse for who they are. We can learn to love their boldness in spite of our timidness. We can learn to love their strength when we are weak. And we can learn to love their patience when we are angry.

Differences Lead to Fun: Differences in marriage also mean FUN! It means having the opportunity to try things you never thought you would…things like traveling, skydiving, or tasting foreign food. Be sure to explore your spouse’s differences and make the most of them.

Differences Lead to a Balance: Finally, differences lead to a healthy balance in marriage. When you struggle with negativity, your spouse’s optimism will come in handy. And when your spouse struggles with daily stresses, your big picture mindset will bring peace.

 

How are you and your spouse different from one another? We’d love to hear your answer in a comment below.


Posted on: February 22, 2024

 

How to Recognize Your Strengths and Weaknesses

It isn’t easy to recognize our strengths and our weaknesses. Why? Because it requires some serious self-examination.

We all want to believe we’re patient, social, and a strong leader. But that’s often not the case. And the sooner we identify our strengths and weaknesses, the sooner we can utilize them to our advantage!

That’s why my challenge for you is this: to answer the following questions as honestly and objectively as you can.

Your Strengths:

1. In what areas of your life do you often find success?

2. If your friends had to pick you to be in charge of something, what would they put you in charge of?

3. Over time, what have you noticed to be your natural abilities?

Your Weaknesses:

1. If we asked your spouse, what would they say are your biggest struggles?

2. In what areas of your life do you often seek help?

3. What aspects of your career do you find most challenging?

 

What are your strengths and weaknesses? Feel free to leave your answers in a comment below.


Posted on: February 20, 2024

 

How to Be an Everyday Leader

Daily Huddle Opportunity

Every day, you have the chance to be a leader. Don’t believe me? Well, today we’ll be talking through 3 common places you can be a leader.

1. Be a Leader in Your Home

First and foremost, it’s crucial to be a leader in your home. Your family needs to have someone to depend on, someone to lean on, and someone to guide them well…they need YOU!

2. Be a Leader in Your Workplace

Next, let’s consider the importance of being a leader at your job. It’s all too easy to choose laziness over excellence…especially when all your coworkers are cutting corners. But I encourage you to be a leader and instead remember Colossians 3:23 which says, “Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not to men.”

3. Be a Leader in Your Social Circle

And finally, perhaps the most difficult place to be a leader is with your friends. When they begin complaining about their spouses, their bosses, or their kids, we keep our mouths closed. Why? We’d rather let them rant than call them out and make things uncomfortable. But my advice: lead your friends well by pointing out when their negative attitudes take things too far.

 

Where else can we strive to be leaders? We’d love to hear your thoughts in a comment below.

 


Posted on: February 15, 2024

 

The Power of a Parent’s Influence

Daily Huddle Child

Whether you realize it or not, your children are watching you.

Do you like what they’re seeing?

As parents, we have a responsibility to act with care. So below are a series of questions to reflect upon how you may be influencing your children–in good ways and in not so good ways…

  • Are you quick to lose your temper?
  • When is the last time you showed affection to your spouse in front of your kids?
  • Do you treat others with respect or disdain?
  • Are you quick to serve around the house?
  • What sort of language do you use when you’re angry?
  • Do you spend more time checking emails or checking how your child’s day was?
  • Do you use your words to build others up or tear others down?
  • How often do you thank your spouse for what they do?

 

What are some other questions to help you reflect on how you influence your kids? We’d love to hear your suggestions in a comment below.


Posted on: February 13, 2024

 

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