In Ephesians 5 Paul says three things that were radical in the male dominated, hierarchical culture he lived in. He says:
1. Submit to one another
2. Love your wife
3. Love your wife as your own body
This way of honoring your spouse was foreign to most first century marriages, but it reflected a consistent New Testament emphasis that required Christians to "serve one another in love." In marriage this means that husbands are to serve their wives, look after her interests, support her, care for her, spend time with her, listen to her, show her affection, honor her, speak highly of her, sacrifice for her, etc.
And, in the short term, it probably means to not forget Valentine's Day! (Next Sunday!)
Husbands, in what ways have you successfully served your wife in the past? What are your successes in this area?
Wives, what are the things that your husband does that make you feel special and served?
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I am so fortunate to have a husband who views "motherhood" as a very important role. He worked long hard hours to allow me to be home with our children- which was so important to me too and honors me with support and respect to my children. He had a wonderful mother who's life was taken too early to cancer when he was young and values the time he had with her. Valentines Days, Anniversaries, etc. are all good, but it's the everyday way I am treated which I value so much more.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess I have less to say this week because I'm not a man - but I will toot my hubby's horn and say he had all of Jeff's sage advice already well in practice. I HAD NO DESIRE TO ELBOW and no self-control was necessary. He works all day (hard I might add) comes in the door and turns into super-Dad, he does dishes and laundry when I'm overwhelmed and not keeping up. But most of all he knows me - for example he knows on Valentine's NOT to bring me chocolate - yes surprise !! chocolate-obsession is not universal for all women - I don't like it. He also knows that if he's gonna turn off the game - to turn the t.v. all the way and skip the gushy movies, I really just want to spend time together. (Sorry- Jeff if I'm killing all your practical examples from Sunday! LOL - anyway... my point is HE knows, because he gets me. On the other hand it doesn't take a genius to figure that although Jeff gave us wives a "bye" on Sunday, that this message is just as valid if we turn it on ourselves. So maybe... sometimes we leave the game on and go away and give them quiet to have that time off. Maybe we cook him his fave dinner, maybe we bite our tongue when we feel the nag coming on, maybe we take the garbage out ourselves despite the wind chill, maybe we stay awake despite the headache(hey if Jeff can say sex starts in the kitchen I can say that...I think)... anyway... on and on.
ReplyDeleteThe point is easy marriage requires serving each other. God is so cool to think this relationship up, it's all about putting the other person first, all the way first.YAY HUBBIES!
Bless you Sharon. Amen and Amen!
ReplyDeleteI feel special and served when my husband helps around the house with dishes or any type of cleaning up. A nice fire in the fireplace is a nice added touch as well.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess the most recent way I served my wife in the past was Sunday when I took my turn staying with Lauren in the library and missing this sermon so Lesley could enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI know that she has made several short and long term sacrifices for our family and I do everything I can to support her in the things she wants to do for herself.
Helping out around the house and helping raise our children are the biggest successes I can think of in this area.
ReplyDeleteI always just do my best to make my wife happy. Not always possible, but I really only wish that in the end, her happiness.
Looks like I have to pass this week.
ReplyDeleteSorry
Mike
At a wedding, a little girl asked her mom why the bride was wearing all white. Mom said, "Well, white is the color of joy, and today is the happiest day of the bride's life!" Little girl thought about that and said, "Then why is the groom wearing all black?" To love your wife is to die to yourself -- to make every decision that you ever make from that point on with her first in mind, and sometimes when you do that, you really think that you're going die -- but we don't. Or we do. And either way, we're living like Jesus did for us, when He gave up His life for His bride. And in living this way, we show the world through our marriages what Jesus and the church really look like! Eph 5, gotta love it! (Am I allowed to comment here even though I didn't hear the sermon?)
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a very hard worker! He works about 70 hours a week to provide a good life for our family. Someone loving me that way is a reminder every day, just how special we are to him. When he is not working his every minute is spent with us! I couldn't ask for more.
ReplyDeleteMy husband should have been the nurse, he is such a good caregiver when I am sick. He is a very romantic man also, he picks bouquets from the garden or the field and arranges them himself in a vase. He is a very hard worker, and kept at it even when he hated his job because he was taking care of his family.
ReplyDelete