READ: Review, The Husband Project by Kathi Lipp
(To win this book and two more that will help you start 2012 off right, check out the New Year’s Prize Pack information below my review.)
At our home, we’ve had an extended holiday celebration. Our final set of visiting family leaves this morning. I’m sad to see them go but excited to get back to the normal-and-necessary routines of school and writing work—and blogging, too.
Most of the books I review here at Read. Write. Pray are new or not-yet-released. But I want to start this New Year with a review of a book that released on January 1—three years ago. I missed it back then but am grateful to have read it now.
The other day, I bought a special dessert for my husband. Because I love to bake, I don’t normally buy desserts. But our family was celebrating a special event in my husband’s life, and I decided to purchase a rare treat as a way of honoring him.
The surprise was not the purchase, however. The surprise came in my husband’s unexpected gratitude. He thanked me several times—not for the dessert itself (although he loved it), but for taking time to celebrate him.
His gratitude blessed me. And his surprise made me realize how often I take him for granted. Routine is (for the most part) easy, or it wouldn’t become routine. But a large part of marital joy comes in little packages: the surprise desserts, the private celebrations, the picked-you-up-a-movie and more. And sometimes we need a reminder.
In The Husband Project: 21 Days of Loving Your Man–On Purpose and With a Plan, popular speaker and author Kathi Lipp gives readers that reminder: three weeks’ worth of practical tips and thoughtful encouragement wrapped in wisdom and tied with a bright bow of humor. She shares with engaging candor about her own marital bliss and blunders, preparing the way for readers to examine their own.
The book’s user-friendly format makes a great match for busy wives whose marriage relationship could use a refresher. The Husband Project moves from foundational principles (including a helpful section on adapting the projects to whatever unique situations readers may face) to day-by-day project instructions to a planning/overview sheet and glossary. The projects themselves range from the simple (praising your husband in front of other people) to the more involved (planning a B & B experience at home).
No, the author doesn’t suggest you wrap yourself in Saran and meet your husband at the door (although if it works for the two of you, I’m sure she’d approve). Instead, she sets forth a challenge to allow God to change your marriage by changing you. She also encourages you not to go it alone but to find two friends/accountability partners who will agree to work through the book along with you and meet (online, on the phone, or in person) for regular updates and mutual encouragement.
Are you up for such a challenge? Are you ready for a marital renewal? Then grab two friends, get the book, and get going. It may be time for a surprise dessert at your house, too.
NEW YEAR’S PRIZE PACK: Would you like to win this book and two others chosen to help you start 2012 right? Leave a comment below between now and the end of Saturday, January 7. The winner, chosen at random, will receive a New Year’s trio: The Husband Project, The Me Project (another of Lipp’s offerings) and 31 Days to a Younger You (the links reference my reviews).
In your comment, share either why you’d like to win the books OR a “husband project” of your own that God has already used to bless your marriage. Please link to or include your email address so I can contact the winner (mail to US addresses only).
Find a local Christian bookseller: http://cba.know-where.com/cba/
Purchase this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christian Book Distributors
(FTC disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the author. I was not required to post a review or a positive response.)
Marti,
Thanks for your reviews and your encouraging Facebook posts.
I’d like to win these books so that this year I can be intentional about making my marriage successful.
Rachel Wallace (rachelewallace@gmail.com)
I would love to win the book and apply it. It sounds like it was tailor made for me and my busy lifestyle. Sometimes the hubby gets the short end of the stick after work, kids, sports, momtaxi, church, bible study, awanas, etc.
Wildfirewife317@hotmail.com
Thanks, Rachel and Dayna. I know you would both enjoy it!
I am sure these books would be very encouraging to most all of us. Thank you for letting us know about them. It is so true that our husbands slide way down on the priority list when life gets crazy or when we are just not intentional about loving and serving them. I needed this reminder. My husband has also loved when I made up special invitations for a date night, even if it was at home after the children were in bed (when they were small). I have also tried to be creative with $10.00 date night picnics and just a walk on the beach or downtown. However, I am in a bit of a slump right now, so thanks again for the reminder. I know God is speaking through you to me!! By the way, I hope you and your sweet family are doing well. Please say hi to Tom for me. Love, Robin Lane
(familytwelve@yahoo.com)
I just came across this author and her book on a radio program today. I would love to read this book and apply the ideas in my marriage. Jen Hollingsworth tkaysmom@bellsouth.net
Robin, great to hear from you! Greetings back to your family and I will give Tom yours. You are right about how easy it is to let husbands take a lesser place in our priorities than they should. And Jeni, thanks for the comment. I’ve read two of Kathi’s books now and think she’s wonderful!
Rachel is the chosen-at-random winner! I’ll contact you soon and get your address. Thanks to everyone who entered!