A long time ago and when I was in the habit of choosing poorly, I took note of the relationship of a co-worker and her husband. He was very kind, thoughtful, and sweet to her. At the time, I was not in a relationship like that. As a matter-of-fact, the relationship that I was in was rather the opposite.
There’s nothing like a good contrasting situation to show you what you’ve chosen.
If you aren’t married, consider what kind of relationship you’d like to have with your future spouse. If you are married, consider those little things that can make it better. Before you look at your spouse, look at yourself.
Bob and I got married in 1988. We’ve been married a long time, but it seems like just yesterday! Our marriage came with a few hurdles like most. I had to move and change jobs. About 3 months after we got married, I found out I was pregnant. A move, a job, morning sickness that lasted all day at times, and now a new born . . . I married the right man!
What had I seen in the marriage of my co-worker and her husband that had inspired me so? I had seen the little things that they did for each other. I had seen a man that loved his wife so much that he called to say that she wouldn’t be able to reach him by phone that afternoon because of something going on where he worked. I saw a wife that was distressed because she had not ever slept away from her husband since they married, but a business trip was going to necessitate that. What I saw was a couple head-over-heels in love showing it in their actions and living it out in their lives.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Ephesians 5:25
Men, how many of you love your wife that much? When you do, it makes it easy for her to be obedient because you have her best interest – not yours – at heart. God gave you the job of looking after her and caring for her.
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Titus 2:3-5
Women, how many of you love your husband and are obedient to him? Eve was deceived, and we still have that fault within us. If you have a Godly husband who is walking with the Lord, you’ll win when he takes the lead. It will be a joy to be obedient.
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to make love real in your marriage. Love that spouse each day. Never let it change because of situations and hardships. Don’t let other folks be the cause of your fighting. Put God first in your marriage and your spouse second. As you grow closer to God, you’ll grow closer to each other. Will there be times you disagree? Absolutely. Settle it quickly, and give place to love again.