How sandwiches & index cards keep my marriage strong

I was talking with a sweet mama several months ago and she told me that her husband spends about $20 every day of the work week on eating out.  $20 x 5 days x 4 weeks…that’s $400 per month!  I am not opposed to eating out at all, but when it becomes a daily routine it can be quite expensive.  A homemade lunch can cost a fraction of $20 and can be considerably healthier too. 
Making my hubby’s lunch is a part of my morning routine almost every day of the work week and sometimes on Saturday if he does a side job or is volunteering.  Whether its a sandwich or leftovers for the main course, I make time to put together a healthy meal for him to take to work.  Remember I did say “almost every day”.  There are days were I sleep in because it was a rough night with the little ones or I get so busy with stuff in the morning I completely forget and hubby either makes his own lunch or decides to eat out instead.  But making his lunch is something I strive to do on a regular basis.


Some may say “That’s nice, but I just don’t have time for that”.  With two little ones under the age of 4 and lots of tasks to complete myself, I understand lack of time, but I believe that taking time to make my husband a lunch is well worth the investment.  

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Although this task does technically take time away from things I might be working on, I believe it is an interruption worth having.   A strong marriage takes time and effort and most times, the little things can have the biggest impact.  Something as little as a sandwich and an index card makes a big impact in my marriage and I want to share this experience with you.  


I honestly enjoy making my hubby his lunch, even on the really hectic days.  It is just one of the many ways I can serve him.  It makes me stop what I am doing and take some time to focus on something that benefits him.  It helps him maintain a healthier lifestyle, helps us stay on budget, and is one way I can connect with his heart.  

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A strong marriage takes time and effort and most times, the little things can have the biggest impact.

​A typical lunch for my hubby is a sandwich, chips, carrots and celery sticks, granola bar or snack crackers, apple slices with a scoop of peanut butter, a beverage, and of course some type of dessert like cookies or a brownie.  The apple slices & PB he likes to save for an afternoon snack.  It’s a good healthy energy boost for the afternoon drag.  Trail mix is great too.  Leftovers that won’t be enough for a second meal for the whole family can make a great lunch too.


When I go grocery shopping, I buy as much organic, non-GMO, whole foods as I can and most of our baked goods are homemade.  We like to follow the 80/20 rule.  80% of really good stuff and 20% of the not so good stuff.  Eating healthy is super important, but I think if I tried to have us eat super healthy food 100% of the time I would go crazy…so would my family.   


They say food is a way to a man’s heart, which is true, but you can connect even deeper to his heart by your written words.  One special touch I do often for my hubby is write a little love note to put in his lunch.  The note is not long, but it’s genuine.  I put my notes on 3” x 5” index cards.  They are a good size, more durable than regular paper, and they don’t have the sticky stuff on the back.    


On one side of the card I will write a Bible verse or two and on the other side a personal note.  The Bible verses may be pertinent to a situation my hubby is dealing with at the time or it may be something God laid on my heart during a recent quiet time.  If I am short on time one morning, I scan my Bible and because I highlight and underline verses, I can locate a good inspirational verse rather quickly to write out for him.  


The personal note can be what ever you want; a love note, a note of encouragement, maybe a reminder of something funny that happened in your family to make him laugh.  No matter what though, this note must be a positive one.  


One thing I do often in my note is thank my hubby for working so hard to provide for our family.  If my hubby is struggling with something I will offer words of encouragement specifically to that situation and I might remind him that I am praying for him.  I will often tell him how thankful I am that he is my husband and how good of a hubby he is and what a great Dad he is and how blessed our children are to have him as their Dad.  


No, my life is not all sunshine and lollipops.  My hubby is not perfect and neither am I.  We have our differences; but even on days I don’t “feel” like serving him, these are the days I know for sure that I should.  If I have hurt his feelings or upset him in any way, this “love note” is another avenue I can use to offer my sincere apologies.  I always end my notes with Love, Me or I love you always.  


I can honestly tell you these notes don’t just affect him, they affect me too.  Words are so powerful and when written they have tremendous impact.  The world we live in is harsh and can be very cruel.  Our hubbies need and deserve encouragement every day.  Let’s use the power of the written word to lift our husbands up.  Their jobs can be really demanding and so often they do not receive recognition for their hard work.  We can help fill that void.  Words of affirmation and love go a long, long way.


After I started putting these notes in his lunch I saw the impact they were making.  My hubby began to show me even more affection than usual.  He began telling me more often how much he appreciated me.  I also noticed that my hubby saves his notes and just recently he told me he keeps a stack of them in his desk drawer at work so when he is feeling discouraged he can pull one out and it lifts his spirits.


This tiny investment is making a big impact in my marriage and I am so thankful for it.  I hope that something I have shared today inspires you.  Maybe you are already make your hubby’s lunch and write him notes…that’s awesome!  What other ways you can connect deeper with his heart on a regular basis?  

​If you do not write out little notes to your hubby and want to do so,  here are a few great scripture recommendations to help you get started…


Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:4-5

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10


Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a wonderful day!


Grace to you,
Mandy