Vocation of the Christian Husband

• We are called to love Christ, love others, and to make disciples of all nations.
• Evangelization is most powerful through the way that we live and living our role as a Christian husband is one of the most crucial and impactful ways we can evangelize.

Practical Tools/Tips

Determine your why

• Why does your human body exist? To pump blood and breath oxygen or for something more?
• Carve a path to heaven for your wife and children
• Write a personal mission statement, share it with others and carry it in your wallet

Change your words - create a new muscle memory so that you can create new habits

• Negative talk creates negative feelings, don’t go with the flow as others talk poorly of their wife or try to make negative generalizations about your situation
• Start a new talk track by refusing to engage in the negativity about your wife and kids
• Change the way you speak to your wife, be intentional with your wording (ex: instead of saying “I don’t care” try saying “I trust you”)

Change your perspective

• I no longer “have to” do something for my wife, kids and job; instead, I “get to” to do those things and they are all blessings in my life, even the tough stuff

Pray for your wife

• Pray for her soul, her peace, her joy, her fulfillment, her journey with Christ and for her specific intentions

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What have you done in the past to lead an undivided life?

• Work is always for God - Offer it up
• Daily, consistent prayer (ex. Magnificat)
• No phone until morning routine
• Be Present
• Stay True to yourself
• Walk Away (Change Focus)
• Focus on Family (Family Dinner)
• Setting Boundaries in Workplace
  • i.e. Discussing Wife & Family Openly
• Investing in Quality and Quantity Time with Family (Free Time use)
• Accountability
• Humility (Kids and Family)
• Frequent Confession
• Prayer (God fills the Cup)
• Patience/Perspective
• Humility
• Priorities

What are you going to do next to lead an undivided or integrated life?

• St. Joseph - Protector, Provider, Leader
• Align daily actions with priorities
• Nighttime prayer
• Spiritual Director
• Start with Prayer
• Community Service / Praise
• Cheerful Attitude
• Gratitude
• Find ways to serve as husband and wife together
• Find great like-minded men to be around
  • i.e. Faith, Family, etc. (Not $)
• Put God First
• Be Humble
• Focused on Positive Thoughts/Words
  • Initiate Positives
• Regular Confession = Accountability
• Daily Examination of Conscience
  • Focus on One or Two
• Be Open and Trusting
• Confession Weekly
• Daily Examen
• Honesty -> Talk with Spouse
• Vulnerability
• Asceticisms
• Start with Gratitude
• Reprioritize (God, Wife, Kids, Job)
• Prayer (discipline and evil one)
• Ask for specific things in prayer
• Ask for accountability from self and others
• Surround yourself with Catholic Men
• More time in Adoration
• Reading Scripture
• Modelling
  • "What would Dad Do? (God the Father/Jesus)
  • What should he have done?
  • Realize everything matters
  • Dignity

Where do you need help?

• Trust in God
• Have a Plan/Communication
• Don't Overthink/Analyze (Trust)
• Be Intentional (Know Why)
• Pray with Wife
• I "Get to" Reflection
• Rise to the Challenge
• Fasting/Prayer
• Sacrifice is a gift, not a burden
• Perspective and Accountability
• Distractions/Priorities/Time Management
• Saying No
• Accountability
• "Don't have time" = Choose time
• Goal Setting
• Reaching out to Catholic brothers
• Repair relationship with wife
• Repair relationship with Kids
• Exercising Authority effectively
• Building people up
• Admitting faults
• Learning to be humble
• Positive Community
• Sharing