Friday, July 21, 2006
A Helpmate Suitable
Posted in Marriage
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I've heard it said that nothing makes
your own selfishness more apparent than having children. I can see and
understand how this can be very true, but for me it was marriage that
brought all that yuckiness to light. It's taken me a while (we'll be
starting year #9 in just a few weeks!) to realize just how wrong I have
been in much of my thinking as to how marriage is "supposed" to be and
I have begun to see how much needless struggle we have faced because of
my faulty thinking. I am very blessed with a loving, gracious and
oh-so-patient husband (whom others would assume to be the stubborn one
of the relationship though in reality he is always most willing to
accept fault when he's wrong). Anyway, the point of this entry was to share a list that I read this afternoon while reading The Excellent Wife, by Martha Peace. It was encouraging to me so I thought I would share it. Eighteen Ways a Wife May be the Glory of Her Husband 1. Ask your husband, "What are your goals for the week?" 2. Ask your husband, "How can I help you accomplish these goals?" 3. Ask your husband, "Is there anything that I can do differently that would make it easier for you?" 4. Be organized with cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry and cooking. As you fulfill your God-given responsibilities, your husband is then free to do his work. 5. Save some of your energy every day for him. 6. Put him FIRST over the children, your parents, friends, job, ladies' Bible studies, hobbies, etc. 7. Willingly and cheerfully rearrange your schedule for him when necessary. 8. Talk about him in a positive light to and around others. Do NOT slander him at all, even if what you are saying is true. 9. Do whatever you can to make him look good, to accomplish his goals. Some examples are to run errands for him, organize your day to be available to help him with projects, pray for him and make good suggestions. Give him freedom to not use your suggestion, and do not be offended when he does not follow it. 10. Consider his work (job, hobbies, goals, work for the Lord) as more important than your own. 11. think of specific ways that you can help him accomplish his goals. Examples are to get up early in the mornings to help him get off to work having had a good breakfast, take care in recording phone messages for him, anticipate any needs he may have in order to attain a specific goal, and keep careful records of money spent to keep up with the budget. 12. Consider the things that you are involved in. How do they glorify your husband? Ask his guidance. 13. Be warm and gracious to his family and friends. Make your commitment to him obvious. 14. Do and say things to him that build him up instead of tear him down. 15. Dress and apply your make-up in an attractive manner that is pleasing to YOUR husband. 16. When your husband sins, reprove him gently and privately, always giving him hope and pointing him to the Lord. 17. Encuorage him to use his spiritual gifts in ministry. Realize that just as God is glorified when man obeys Him, your husband is glorified when you obey your husband. A husband who is treated so respectfully and adoringly by his wife will have no choice but to adore her in return. It only takes one person to start practicing his or her intended role in a marriage to get the relationship in a "good circle"! |