Kingdom 103: Love in Marriage Needs to be Refreshed
Love may indeed "be eternal", but our expression of it must be expressed every day to one another. I make it a point to express my love to Arlene every day. In fact I make it a point to get her attention to tell her how much I love and appreciate her. This is what a husband and wife should display in their family so that their children will follow in their footsteps. Children should see love modeled between their parents. Yet this isn't the truth in many modern marriages.
Although verbal expression accounts for a small percentage of what we communicate when we interact with one another, it is still one of the most important elements for feelings and nurturing love, especially for women. My wife Arlene taught me that. "That's just the way I am" is a lie! Don't you believe it. Everyone can change their behavior with a little focused effort. Husbands, your wife should be your most valuable responsibility. The same goes for you, wives. Your husband should be your most valuable responsibility. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
Now please take note of this: Men thrive on what they see, women thrive on what they hear and both thrive on what they feel. Words reinforce actions. Women need to hear words of love, affection and appreciation from their husbands. Once again, I learned this from my wife Arlene. She has helped me become the man I am today.
Most men do not spend enough time simply speaking with their wives. In the last four and a half years we have been married; my wife has given me a doctorate in understanding her and what wives need. This is because I listen to her. Do you speak with your wife? Do you have conversations about what is happening in her day at work or at home? If not, you really should. If you don't, in time, someone else will. Any happily married couple will be quick to agree that their happiness is due in large part to simple daily thoughtfulness, conversation and a little attention that they pay to each other as part of their daily life. This can take many forms: Compliments are always in order, whether referring to a well-cooked meal, an attractive new hairstyle, or a new outfit she bought. And, what reasonable person could reject a heartfelt "thank you"? By the way, give her a kiss in public view. Let the world know she is your most valuable responsibility, because she is.
Though some may say it is old-fashioned, open the vehicle door for her all the time--regardless of the weather conditions. Why? Because you love her, honor her and she is your most valuable responsibility. Wives, let your husband show you he can be a gentleman and a loving husband. Don't shut him down when he tries to do the right thing. Accept gracefully that your husband is becoming a Kingdom man. Don't remind him of who he was, but encourage him for who he is becoming.
Ephesians 5:22-26
~~W.R. Luchie
Although verbal expression accounts for a small percentage of what we communicate when we interact with one another, it is still one of the most important elements for feelings and nurturing love, especially for women. My wife Arlene taught me that. "That's just the way I am" is a lie! Don't you believe it. Everyone can change their behavior with a little focused effort. Husbands, your wife should be your most valuable responsibility. The same goes for you, wives. Your husband should be your most valuable responsibility. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
Now please take note of this: Men thrive on what they see, women thrive on what they hear and both thrive on what they feel. Words reinforce actions. Women need to hear words of love, affection and appreciation from their husbands. Once again, I learned this from my wife Arlene. She has helped me become the man I am today.
Most men do not spend enough time simply speaking with their wives. In the last four and a half years we have been married; my wife has given me a doctorate in understanding her and what wives need. This is because I listen to her. Do you speak with your wife? Do you have conversations about what is happening in her day at work or at home? If not, you really should. If you don't, in time, someone else will. Any happily married couple will be quick to agree that their happiness is due in large part to simple daily thoughtfulness, conversation and a little attention that they pay to each other as part of their daily life. This can take many forms: Compliments are always in order, whether referring to a well-cooked meal, an attractive new hairstyle, or a new outfit she bought. And, what reasonable person could reject a heartfelt "thank you"? By the way, give her a kiss in public view. Let the world know she is your most valuable responsibility, because she is.
Though some may say it is old-fashioned, open the vehicle door for her all the time--regardless of the weather conditions. Why? Because you love her, honor her and she is your most valuable responsibility. Wives, let your husband show you he can be a gentleman and a loving husband. Don't shut him down when he tries to do the right thing. Accept gracefully that your husband is becoming a Kingdom man. Don't remind him of who he was, but encourage him for who he is becoming.
Ephesians 5:22-26
~~W.R. Luchie
