Realizing I’m Far From a Cheerleader

We’ve got spirit, yes we do. We’ve got spirit, how about you?

I just knew becoming a spirit-girl would be the coolest thing ever. So I tried out for cheerleader in high school. After the first round, it came down to three of us vying for two available spots. They nixed yours truly. 

While disappointed, honestly, the other two girls proved far better at rah-rah stuff—flips, jumps, and everything. They both blossomed in the role and totally rocked it! 

But, guess what? I am cheering these days, just in a different way and for a new cause. I’m my husband’s biggest cheerleader. His cool spirit-girl. It’s a place I’m blossoming and it rocks.

Yet, I confess it hasn’t always been this way. Over the years, there were plenty of times I refused to be a cheerleader in my marriage and failed to cheer for my husband. 

In fact, I often sat on the bleachers for the home team in our marriage, either silent out of bitterness from past hurt, or simply unwilling to raise my voice to honor my guy. 

And I even joined the cheering squad for the opposing team a few times–only cheering on others in my life while my husband felt further and further away from the spotlight in my heart.

So how do we become our husband’s biggest cheerleader? What does this look like practically in marriage?

Consider these two ways you can cheer your man on: 

Cheer your man on in his family roles. Notice what he’s doing that blesses you and your family. What are the things he does that makes your family better because of him? Personalize this to you and your husband and family by making a list of these blessings. Then use the list to express how great he is in those areas. Tell him in verbal statements or in short notes and texts like: “Honey, you are really good at making sure our vehicles are maintained so we are safe.” Or, “I just want you to know you rock as a husband to me and as a father to our kids. We are blessed to have you!” 

Cheer for your husband’s value and worth. We all long to feel valuable and as a person of worth to God and others. If we keep this deep human need in mind, we can help our husband realize and know his worth to God and to us. Consider both his physical attributes and his character qualities. Again, express it in verbal or written statements like: “You are so handsome! God sure outdid himself!” Or, “One of my favorite things about you is how merciful you are to others.” Or, “I love how you take time to carefully think about and pray through an important decision. You are so wise.”

Let’s set our hearts on becoming spirit-girls as wives. 

I have a husband, yes I do. A husband I cheer for. How about you?

Wife Step: Make lists for both points above. Then get your rah-rah moves ready and start chanting those cheers to your husband! 

 “So cheer each other up with the hope you have. Build each other up. In fact, that’s what you are doing” 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIRV.

Karen Friday is a pastor’s wife and women’s ministry leader. As an award-winning writer and avid speaker, she loves words and God’s Word. For over a decade, she has balanced the busy life of church ministry with working from her home office in marketing where she is frequently referred to as Girl Friday. A blogger, Karen “Girl” Friday engages a community every week, Hope is Among Us. She has published a number of articles and devotions in both print and online media, and is currently working on her first book. Karen’s writing connects family life experiences, Christian ministry, and real life scenarios as women to the timeless truths of Scripture. Vulnerable about her own marriage journey, Karen knows life never gets more real than as a wife. Karen and her husband Mike have two grown children and a grandson. The entire family is fond of the expression, “TGIF: Thank God it’s Friday.” They owe Monday an apology. 

Visit her blog at KarenGirlFriday.com