What I Need To Know

Here is a list of things that we need to remind our spouses of that will help to encourage them daily.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I need lists, and this one challenged me. I plan to make words like this a priority.

As your spouse, I need to know...

• how you appreciate me
• what I've done to show that I respect you
• how I've been an encouragement to you
• that you appreciate the "little things" I do every week for you
• of your unconditional acceptance of me, just as I am
• how I am a partner to you
• how you are praying for me
• why you enjoy me
• how I've changed for good or ways that you've seen me grow (I forget sometimes)
• that you want to meet my needs
• that your love will persevere

Taken from the book "What Makes A Man Feel Loved" by Bob Barnes

What We Choose

This is from the book "What Makes A Man Feel Loved" by Bob Barnes.
I just love it!

I married a man I respect;
I have no need to bow and defer.
I married a man I adore and admire;
I don't need to be handed a list entitled
"How to build his ego" or
"the male need for admiration"
Love, loyalty, trust- these are inside me;
They motivate my actions.
To reduce them to rules destroys my motivation.
I choose to serve him, to enjoy him.
We choose to live together and grow together,
to stretch our capacities for love
even when it hurts and looks like conflict.
We choose to learn to know each other
as real people, as two unique individuals unlike any other two.
Our marriage is a commitment to love;
to belong to each other
to know and understand
to care
to share ourselves, our goals,
interests, desires, needs.
Out of that commitment the actions follow.
Love defines our behavior
and our ways of living together.
And since we fail to meet not only the demands
of standards but also the simple requirements
of love
We are forced to believe in forgiveness...and grace.