Helpmeet--Ch. 9 & 10; Jan-Maree

“From the beginning, God meant for us [women] to be a comfort, a blessing, a reward, a friend, and an encouragement [to our men]” p. 94

Chapter 9: Finding Your Life in His
I was provoked to pride that my husband had never “pulled a fast one on me” when it came to career changes or dreams he wanted realized. But, as I continued to read through, I swiftly and humbly recognized that these changes do not necessarily manifest only in these two areas; there are many others instances that can be applied in understanding Debi’s point in sharing the story of The CPA (p. 95)
In my case, it was with his maturing as a man within his career and his ‘enlightening’ through reading and research on subjects I thought to be ‘secular thinking’. Without boring you with unnecessary details, it took this book (started in January) to get me to back-off of Jeff and stop being a whining, distrusting, and disrespecting destructor of his leadership.
I also (Jessica also posted) appreciated Debi’s quote on p. 97,

"Learn to really enjoy taking out the trash or milking a cow. You will be amazed at how God will fill you full of himself…[God] is looking for women willing to be true help meets to the men whom they married, so He can fill them full of joy.”

Though, I do not always understand all the goals that Jeff wants to achieve or the reasoning behind them (which can consume me with fear if I allow it), I am trusting that the Lord will work in his life as well as mine. I have already seen our marriage do an amazing turn for the better! Jeff is respected, trusted, and enjoyed in our home. I know I will be blessed for choosing to uphold Jeff as the leader in our home.

Here is another quote I appreciated...

"Wisdom is knowing what you “bought” when you married that man and learning to adapt to him as he is, while enjoying the full value of your “purchase.” p. 99


Chapter 10: Reactions Define You

I appreciated more than ever the concise ‘review’ that Debi gives on p. 104, under Time to Consider. I learned that not only are we to do this or that, remember this or that, but to look to the future and discover the ways to better meet our husband’s needs and desires.

Ways that I can free my husband to be the man God created him to be:
• Have a smile on my face when he walks in the door.
• Be ready and willing to assist him in the kitchen.
• Have the house and yard toys orderly when he arrives.
• Lower (soften) my voice when dealing with kid stuff.
• Encourage/Praise him with my words.
• Head off some of the decision making when it comes to our social calendar.

"Your reactions define who you really are inside and what you really believe at your core level.” p. 101

I believe that I will never have peace, happiness, and joy until my mind is filled with good-will towards my husband.
(p. 103) -paraphrased/personalized-