This week, we’re winding up the Valentine’s Day suggestions on how to love your husband. Feel free to pop over to Part 1 and Part 2 for those helpful hints.
Titus 2:4-5 says that older women are to encourage the younger women to love their husbands and children, and to be kind (among other things). I thought it odd that the younger women had to be taught how to be kind. After all, kindness begins at home, doesn’t it? Sometimes you would never know this by the way I act. I can be kinder to a stranger in Wal-mart than I can to my husband, when I’m in “a mood.” Let’s be kind to our husbands, “so that the word of God may not be dishonored.” (Titus 2:5).
Ever been in a conversation with some girlfriends that went something like this:
“You wouldn’t believe what a slob my husband is. I wish he would learn to pick up his stuff!”
“You think yours is a slob, mine is such an idiot! He can’t even make the simplest repairs around the house!”
And on it goes, getting worse and worse. This is dangerous and destructive behavior. It is contagious and spreads like a virus!
RUN FROM IT!
Husband bashing is extremely damaging to your marriage. The more you dwell on your perceived wrongs in your husband, the more unhappy you will become. Don’t participate in these conversations. Try to steer them back to positive aspects of your spouses. If you can’t, I say again:
RUN FROM IT!
Be especially careful in front of the children or grandchildren. They need to see your respect for your man, not your scorn for him.
And finally:
These suggestions will go a long way in showing your love for your sweet husband. Love is an action word!
Happy Valentine’s Day,
I enjoyed your series, Ellen! I definitely need reminders of these simple yet practical ways to show how much I love my man:) Thank you!
Kristine, sometimes it’s the simple things that are hardest, isn’t it? Like kindness…thank you for stopping in, you always encourage me!
Ellen, you have given us all some wonderful advice on loving our husbands and giving them the respect they deserve just because of their God-given role. Some husbands are definitely easier to love and respect, but how they live should not have any bearing on how we love them. Thank you for encouraging us wives to be careful in how we treat our husbands and love them with the love God has shown to us in Christ. Blessings to you, sweet friend!
Thank you Sabra! I find as we love like Christ loved, that love will be multiplied in our lives! Thank you for your sweet words, my friend!
Hi Ellen! I agree about the husband-bashing. I have done that with friends thinking that I’m just letting off some steam, but I never feel good afterwards. Keeping things positive is the way to keep that tone in my home, and in my relationship.
I pray I remember this when negative talk starts!
Blessings,
Ceil
Sometimes it’s a fine line sometimes, Ceil! Thanks for stopping by!
Great tips, Ellen! One of the things that makes me feel closest to my husband is when we laugh together. Sometimes life gets too serious and we just need to see a funny movie or have a lighthearted talk to reconnect.
I completely agree about husband bashing. It makes me sad to hear women who never have anything positive to say about their husbands. It’s too easy to get caught up in the negative. What a sweet, encouraging, and timely series you have created here!
Thank you for your kind words, Candace! I’m so glad you stopped by! Oh, yes, laughing with the ones we love – there’s nothing better!
Thanks for the great reminder to be kind in our words both to and about our husbands. Choosing to talk and dwell on the negative does increase dissatisfaction in marriage. I love the advice of Ruth Graham Bell when she said, “Make the most of the best and the least of the worst.” Linking at Tell His Story. I had already read your linked post, which was fabulous(!), so it’s fun to find another great post to enjoy!
Thank you Ginger!