This week our nation celebrates giving thanks for all the blessings we have.  Before you gather for Thanksgiving dinner, write down everyone's name on a piece of paper.  Have each person draw a name from a hat and say something they are thankful for about the person they draw. 

As you say the blessing, remember to thank God for all the people that are in your life.

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On our wedding day, we vowed with our wife to take the good with the bad. When we get prickly with one another, it can be hard to remember that commitment.

Our wife's true beauty goes far beyond the issues that can arise in our relationship. Just like a rose, let her know you love her, thorns and all.

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Take your bride to a place where you can explore beautiful craft items together.  This might be a local craft fair, Hobby Lobby or even Crackel Barrel. Look around and see if there are home decor items you need, or just window shop and find signs that says something you want to share with each other.

My wife and I stopped into Buc-ees and found these two wall plaques.  The first has been my marriage motto since the day we wed. When my wife says she loves me, I say I love her more.... than I have before.

Photo by Dan White

With the temperature cooling, it is a great time to find a local fall festival or county fair.  Check local papers or google where to go. Take your whole family and enjoy the festivities.  Bring your camera and capture the memories.

Photo by Rene Porter on Unsplash

With the temperature cooling, it is a great time to find a local fall festival or county fair.  Check local papers or google where to go. Take your whole family and enjoy the festivities.  Bring your camera and capture the memories.

Our nature as men is to want to fix things. Whatever your natural bent is, if it is broke, you want to make it better. If you are good with cars, electrical, wood, plumbing, computers, finances, etc., and there is a problem, you probably believe you can solve it.

The issue is that this doesn't necessarily work in relationships. For example, if our wife comes to us with a concern or burden, our first instinct may be to give a prescriptive plan to resolve the issue. However, many times our wives just want someone to share their thoughts and feelings with.

One of the best ways to get to the bottom of why someone is coming to you is to just ask. "What is it that you need from me?" is a simple question that clarifies their intent and helps quickly get at what is  needed. The next time your wife comes to you to discuss something, try it. See how you can really help and then come alongside her in the way she needs you to.

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I was in Atlanta when Hurricane Helene passed by. Little did I know when they were projecting mud slides in North Carolina, the devastation that was to come. My wife and I were just in Black Mountain, NC a few weeks ago, one of the towns that was almost completely wiped away. Anyone following social media or the news knows the tragedy that is still evolving throughout the region and the heroism of individuals to help their fellow neighbors. It is times like these that we see the best in people. 

As a family, discuss how you can help those that are in dire need. Coming together to pray for the survivors and those still helping is a great place to begin. Participate in local fund raising or start one of your own, work with churches in your area providing assistance, and dig deep into your own savings to help. Assisting through local ministries will make sure your donations get to where you want them to go. 

Finding ways to help others brings your family together for a common purpose.  ...

Open, honest, continual communication is key to a good marriage. In most marriages, one partner tends to share less than the other.  Many times, it is the husband, so taking five is a great way to break a poor communication cycle. 

To take five, each partner gets five uninterrupted minutes to share about their day and anything on their mind.  Set a timer and try it for 21 days. 

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Find a waterfall and take the family to enjoy an afternoon in nature exploring the wonders of God's creation.

Find an unusual gift for your wife, something that would mean a great deal yet doesn't cost much. I was on a business trip and found this bookmark. When I gave it, Lydia was deeply touched because she had never owned a bookmark but loved to read. 

Photo by 五玄土 ORIENTO on Unsplash