Day 7, Love Believes the Best: She Said, He Said

The Appreciation Room, The Depreciation Room

Make 2 lists, one with positive things about your spouse, and another list with negative things about your spouse. Once completed, hide the lists to be used at a later time, and thank your spouse for one of the things on your list.

She Said: Jenn's Journal Entry Day 7

Which list was easier to make? For me, the positive list was easier to make. I take this as a good sign! It was much more difficult to come up with negative things, but there were a few. I took this challenge seriously and really put a lot of thought into it.

What did this reveal about your thoughts? After reading the devotional with Steve, discussing it with him, and then making the lists in private I realized something profound. I realized that if I were making the lists about ME, it would be easier to write negative things over positive things. It seems I spend more time in the Appreciation Room when it comes to my husband, yet when it comes to me I tend to hang out more in the Depreciation Room.

There are still a lot of old issues from the past I am still dealing with. Each day, each year the past becomes less a part of me, of who I am today. The negative thoughts of others that were once very important in my life still come up from time to time. I am still trying to “reprogram” those negative thought processes to more positive thoughts and affirmations about who I am and who I am striving to become. While I am grateful for all the lessons learned, and I realize my past will always be a part of me, I strive to work through and overcome the parts of my past that still affect me today.

What attribute did you thank your spouse for having? For going to work and providing for our family. He really misses being away when he is at work, and let’s us know that he misses us. Yet, he makes the sacrifice and the choice to provide for us so that I am able to stay home with our children. His job right now is not exactly what he would like to be doing, yet he continues to keep on keepin’ on. He also helps me with my business, which really is becoming a great success. We are sowing the seeds together for a financially secure future.

***On a sweet note, my husband printed out a piece of paper, with a construction paper border, and hung it on the outside door. On it he wrote, “Welcome to the Appreciation Room, Where We Appreciate Each Other for Who We are and What We Do”. I am so truly blessed.

He Said: Steve's Journal Entry Day 7

Which list was easier to make?

The positive list, most Definitely. She has so many positive attributes they far outweigh the small negative ones that I consider to be just really aggravating to me; the kitchen dishes, laundry, getting on the computer every five minutes, etc, but like I said these are really nothing.

What did this reveal about your thoughts?

Let the small stuff stay small and use that time to convey positive thoughts instead of ranting and raving about the little things, it could be worse. As far as getting on the computer, she has to stay on top of her work.

What attribute did you thank your spouse for having?

A sincere heart and her beauty.