This will probably be quick. I have scheduled both dogs to go to the vet for their annual check-ups. I just love how Duck went out in the yard this morning trying to catch them poopin’ so they don’t have to go the q-tip route. I say it only comes once a year so why not let them enjoy it?
On with the check-in…
This week the chapters were a lot shorter than His Wife. Aren’t you glad? Duck has told me that he feels my prayers and appreciates me taking it upon myself to go through this book again. I hope and pray that your hubby feels the same way.
His Work: Workaholism vs Laziness. I am very blessed that Duck sees work as God’s gift to him to provide for us. He has never in his life been lazy. On the other hand, I think it would be very easy for him to become a workaholic. I think God’s blessed him with balance. He is a good, hard worker but he also puts us first.
His Finances: I read this one as our finances. I’ve been praying for our finances for quite awhile. Praying that God would change how we both view money. I think it’s really easy to get caught up in the “take it home with you now on credit and pay for it later” mentality. We go through bouts of being good stewards and receiving God’s blessings (both financially and not financially) and then we’ll slack off again. The beginning of the year we made a renewed committment to get out of some of the financial mess we’re in and we’ve been doing better. Not quite there yet, but better.
His Sexuality: This was a weird chapter for me — not because of Duck, but because I gave this book to Mom to read (hi Mom!). It got me a little tickled thinking of Mom praying for Dad like this. But I want their marriage to be a happy one, so I let the thought drift away. “When we are married, our bodies are not our own.” — pg 63. That one may be hard to swallow.
His Affection: Have you ever read The Five Languages of Love by Gary Chapman? It’s good. Really good. Both Duck and I scored highest on quality time. We both had a close second that were way different. His? Word of affirmation. Mine? Physical affection. Yep, I love hugs. He’s not so much of a hugger, but I’ve been praying for him and it works 
Usually he remembers to give me a hug every day before he leaves for work. Makes my day start out a lot nicer!
His Temptations: This chapter talked about sexual temptations but I believe it can be regarding any temptations. Like for an alcoholic, seeing a bar might be a temptation. For Duck it might be a temptation to get caught up in work too much for too long or temptation to spend more money than he makes. “Only prayer, a submitted heart, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit can work those kinds of miracles.” — pg 75. I wish we could stop temptations, but God always provides an out. The only thing we can do is pray to see “the out” God’s provided and to have the strength and the wisdom to use it.
So did any chapters really speak to you this week? Has hubby noticed any difference yet? Are you still with me? 
I think Hubby does know that I’m reading/praying through this book again, but he hasn’t said anything yet.
I look at “his finances” as “our finances” too. And we’ve been praying together about our finances since I quit working outside the home to stay home with Ladybug. And then he went back to grad school. It’s been a lean couple of years! But I feel like that chapter gave me more “ammunition” in prayer, of praying more specifically about our finances. That’s good.
I think the sexuality chapter was rough for me, although I know we don’t have the problems that some couples do. But it’s very much like the book said, I’m busy, distracted, have a million and one things on my mind. But I loved her suggestion of “give me 15 minutes.” I am going to try that. That will help me get my mind refocused on him instead of myself and the fact that I’m tired, etc, etc.
Lisa B Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Duck was reading this over the weekend and said “give me 15 minutes” — he just kept repeating it until I realized what he was talking about. I explained her suggestion to him and he seemed to like it. I know it was difficult for us when Doodle was younger, but not so much any more (she’s 10 going on 21).
Oh boy…I’m a little late on this one:
I definitely like the smaller chapters…helps me get it to sink in a bit. My worst chapter last week was the sexuality chapter. I know that she had to write it without the guys side being involved, but I did not like how she was being pretty black and white about…*You’re too tired, young mother? well, suck it up because if he wants it, you have to give it.* I’ve never had to deal with this personally, but I’ve seen many women get this held over their head but some scummy husbands and I just want any woman to walk away from that chapter thinking the wrong thing. Just makes me cranky.
However, the rest of the chapters really opened my eyes to some things I could stand to change.
Really enjoying the book, Lisa!
Lisa B Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I can see your point in that. I guess because Duck’s not scummy and trying to use me that way, I didn’t think of it like that. There should be times when it’s give and take on both ends, but I think her point of taking 15 minutes to get readjusted can help a woman feel more attractive and ready for it more often than not.
So glad you’re reading through the book with me!