Two nights ago, hubby and I were chatting about anything and everything - goals, blessings, disappointments, encouragement, love, hope. It was a wonderful time to connect and get all caught up on our busy lives. I realized half way through that is had been so long since we talked about some of these things. Important things, silly things, funny things and some of them we needed to talk about. Some were things that we needed to make sure we were on the same page about; we needed to know that we were standing together and that our home was not divided.
Some things were ligthhearted, others brought us -ok fine, me - to tears. But in a good way! Healing tears, ones that needed to be shed. Soon our chat turned from lighthearted talk into a long night of deep sharing. We needed that. It was refreshing to take time to acknowledge the other for making sacrifices, being loving, doing the small things that often get unnoticed.
And that is when hubby said this, "I love to come home and see touches of you everywhere. It makes me feel like I am at home and can relax when I see you injected in everything in my home. I walked in the door and saw the paper pumpkin you made and it really made me smile. I realized that you make a big effort to make our home a nest and I love it."
Yes, feel free to grab a kleenex - is he not the sweetest man ever! And let me just say that I needed to hear that. It came on a perfect day when I needed uplifting and encouragement. One where I felt like my whole day had been an upwards battle and I had made no headway. Those simple words brought life and feeling back into my tired discouraged little body. It was just what I needed to hear.
It has always been a goal of mine to take time to compliment, encourage, uplift and acknowledge those around me. I may not always succeed, but it is a conscious effort I try to make daily.
And sometimes, I need to hear those words too - directed to me. Let's just say that I have been living off of those wonderful words from hubby for three days now and the feeling has not left.
Sometimes those we love the most are the ones who most need to hear words of acceptance... and often times they are the last ones to hear it. They need to hear a simple, heartfelt:
"I love you.
You are important.
Your effort has not gone unnoticed.
I value you.
You are a treasure.
You are a blessing from God.
I can't imagine life without you.
You are just what I need.
I am blessed to have you in my life.
Thank you.
I appreciate you.
You light up my day."
Simple words... but when spoken with sincerity they will breathe life and joy into the ones you love.
Who do you need to speak words of life and love to? Who goes unnoticed in your home? Your work? Your neighborhood? Your church? Who needs to hear your voice say the words "YOU are important to ME!"
To get you jump started with these expressions of love, today I am including a pack of pretty note cards in the giveaway. They simply say "Thank You."
Thank you's aren't just for when someone gives you something. They are for acknowledging something unexpected, encouraging someone to continue going forward in the everyday tasks they do.... like making a house a home with paper pumpkins.
For today's entry in the giveaway, would you share about someone that has touched your life and that you need to thank or acknowledge them for their efforts? Someone who may not realize that they have impacted your life? Who needs to feel your love and acceptance today?
PS. Giveaway winner announced Monday. Tutorial for all those pumpkins on Monday as well.
All photos taken by yours truly.
