Lift their burdens Lord.

Life can change in a flash.  Four days after this family left Shiloh they received devastating news.

August 23
"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
Psalm 16:8

Our daughter in law, pictured on the paddle board, received a call a week ago that her brother was found unresponsive in his apartment. She wrote: "He was taken to the ER with a very high fever and continued unconsciousness...his cerebral spinal fluid came back positive for an infection called HSV encephalitis." This dear family waits for their son to wake up.

An email comes with heart breaking news, a teenager we know has been charged, along with one of his childhood friends, with second degree murder.  In a flash, life is forever changed.

For another, a wife has walked out on a marriage.

While praying yesterday I found myself simply saying "Lift their burdens Lord."

A friend who is praying alongside us over these situations wrote: "We prayed that the eclipse would bring Christ's return...maybe next time!!!!  One day life will change in a flash..."in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."  1 Corinthians 15:52

Day Twenty-three of Encouraging Your Husband

"Let your speech always be with grace." Colossians 4:6a
You're moving toward the home stretch of your 30-day challenge! Just a reminder of 

what you've committed: 

"You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband. "Each day, say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband . . . to your husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband! 

"In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works." Titus 2:7a 

Does the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge" seem like hard work? Or is it becoming a pleasant exercise in genuine Christ-likeness in your home? You are only scratching the surface of ways to encourage your mate. 

Is your husband organized? Is he diligent? Is he persistent? These are all related to a pattern of personal disciplines that are worthy of your praise. Affirm him for one or more of these traits that you see in him. 

Some men have not developed these qualities because they are naturally more spontaneous. You can praise his spontaneity! Perhaps God has called you alongside to help him with disciplines he has not yet developed—but this does not include nagging. You can keep him organized. 

Whatever the need, you can be your husband's cheerleader, encouraging him when he wants to give up.