Have you ever done something for your husband that wasn’t quiet your cup of tea? Like maybe riding motorcycles, hunting, golfing, or going to an art museum. Last summer I did something I have never done; I went on a canoeing trip. It was all in the name of love, for my husband of course.
Our Pastor’s wife set up a canoe trip for the younger couples in our church. My husband had off and mentioned he would like us to go. I sort of panicked inwardly. I kept seeing myself flipping out of the canoe and a huge alligator coming after me or hitting my head on the rocks. When it came down to the wire I decided I should do it.
I think it is important to do things with our husbands that they like to do, whether we like them or not. I like to be outdoors, but not floating down a river for 7 miles. I knew it was something my husband would really enjoy because he has a kayak and does that a good bit. I knew it was something he wanted me to do with him also. It knew it would show him that I love being with him no matter what we do. I decided not to let my fears or dislikes ruin an opportunity to show love to my husband. He has done many things with me that he may not like to do, but he has done them because he loves me. He enjoyed the time we were spending together and did not complain about what I chose to do.
Our marriages are not all about us!
We are to serve one another and love one another. Isn’t that what Jesus did? He did something He did not want to do. He went to Calvary and died a horrific death for us. He served His disciples while here on earth. He did things that were not the most comfortable things to do. It is about loving like Jesus. It is about showing our children how to love their spouse. They will watch us and our marriage, and then pattern (more than likely) their own marriage after what they have seen. So it is very important to model a Christ like marriage.
Did canoeing necessarily enhance our marriage? No, the actual canoeing may not have, BUT it did show a selfless act. It did speak to my husband that I am willing to do and go where I may not like for him, my beloved. It encouraged him, though that may sound odd. I would have done it when we were dating because we had fresh, new, young love. So why not do it now after 7 years of marriage? Our men need to know we just like to be with them. It helps them be a better Father when they feel loved, when they know we enjoy being with them. Plus, we get to focus just on them and have no other requests to be met. If we love them, we will respect them and they need that.
A man that does not feel respected, will not be the man God wants Him to be, or Father, or husband.
Love is not only a word, it is an action. Communication is a huge key to a successful, Godly marriage. We have to communicate to our men how important they are to us and our children. Society needs them as much as Moms!
What says I love you to your husband? How can you encourage your husband as we celebrate Father’s Day this month? What is something you can do that you may not enjoy, but your husband has been asking you to do? I encourage you to take the opportunity next time it presents itself to do the unlikely for or with your husband.
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Let’s take a moment to pray!
Lord, we thank YOU for our husbands and the gift they are to us. Thank You that YOU made them totally different from us, but in YOUR image. Thank You that we have the opportunity to encourage them and lift them up when they are down. Help us to be the help meet that YOU desire us to be for our husbands. May we honor YOU by loving and respecting them! Help our words to be kind and our hearts to be ready to serve. Strengthen our husbands as they lead our families every day.
In Jesus Name, Amen!
Building strong marriages together,
Heather Strickland
