Lisa Jacobson - Loving Your Husband Well: A 52-Week Devotional for the Deeper, Richer Marriage You Desire

My friend, I can hardly wait for you to dive into this marriage devotional with me.

I feel I can call you friend throughout this book because, even though we may not have yet met, we share so much in common. Perhaps you find that hard to believe at firstwith our different personalities, life experiences, or marriage dynamicsbut I think youll find over time that its true. Just the fact that you picked up this devotional shows that we share a strong desire to grow in our faith and to deepen our marriagesand what a beautiful place for a friendship to begin!

Getting Started

So, as were well on our way to becoming good friends, are you ready to get started?

Before we get too far, one of the first things I want you to know is that Loving Your Husband Well is intended to be read in tandem with your husband. That is to say, you can go through this devotional while he is reading the companion one, Loving Your Wife Well , written by my husband, Matt Jacobson.

Its not that you need to read your devotionals simultaneously or even on the same day (although that would be fantastic if you could make it happen!). Instead, the central point is that youll both be focusing on the same Scripture verse, though each in our preferred translations, and the same biblical theme every week over the year together.

However, I should also add that while the theme will be identical in both devotionals, the content will not be. Thats because Matt is writing to men from his perspective as a husband, while I am approaching it from my perspective as a wife. Same topic and verse, different angle.

Okay, but what if my husband isnt interested in or refuses to read his devotional? I can already hear many of you asking. Let me encourage you if thats your situation: Even so, you can benefit greatly and grow tremendously on your own. Yes, ideally you would go through these devotionals together, but it is not essential . You can carry on, trusting God to continue to do His work in your husband and in your marriage while you concentrate on what He has for you to do and grow in.

Ready to Dive Into Your Devotional?

For some of you, the idea of regular devotions might be new. If so, youll probably want to think through the practicalities of this commitment, such as what time of day might work best in your current season of life.

For me, now that my children are older, I set my alarm in order to wake early enough to have thirty minutes or so to quietly study the Word and pray before our home begins buzzing with the noises of our teenage boys and our daughter who has special needs. However, when our children were younger, I waited until the afternoon for quiet time, when the little ones were either napping or resting. I also have night-owl friends who prefer the late evening to dive into their devotions.

So, whether you decide on morning, afternoon, or night, the main thing is to schedule your devotions at a time when you can be most consistent in showing up and to peacefully focus on what lies before you.

Now, as to what youll need for those twenty to thirty minutes: All thats necessary are this devotional, a Bible, and a notebook (or some way to keep notesI hesitate to suggest using your laptop or smartphone because they can be very distracting). I also recommend spending a few minutes in prayer before you even open your book, asking God to soften your heart and grant wisdom as you start your study.

About This Devotional

Next, whether reading the devotional along with your husband or on your own, youre going to want to pick a specific daymaybe on Sunday night or every Monday morningto set aside time to read that weeks devotion in its entirety.

Then throughout the rest of the week, youll have your devotional time to study further, reflect on the weeks theme, look up related verses, consider how to specifically apply the principle, and pray for Gods purposes to be revealed.

Youll find that each devotion is divided into five parts: the weeks theme and accompanying Scripture passage, followed by an introduction and short study of the topic, a few reflection questions, application suggestions, and a closing prayer.