A Word to Husbands continues

Marriages are meant to be miracles. Instead, many marriages turn out to be nightmares. Why? I believe building a marriage is like building a house. The house needs a firm foundation. So does the marriage. And being married to my Norma for 55 years (and still in love with her), I can say with confidence that Jesus Christ is the only sure foundation that can turn any marriage into a miracle.

How? That is what this lesson is all about. First, I’m writing to husbands. Next lessons will be to wives. This is part two. In part one, we looked at three winning attitudes and four points under “Winning Words.” You can review the last lesson. Here is point 5 as we conclude our lesson to husbands.

WINNING WORDS (CONCLUDED)

5) Be sensitive to her needs

A wise husband will periodically ask his wife how he’s doing. Robert never took time to allow Mary to share her inner feelings. He took it for granted that all was well even though Mary seemed to be pulling within herself. Believing that his being a good provider and lover was all that was necessary to meet Mary’s needs, Robert was insensitive to the fact that she needed him as her best friend. He learned too late after finding his wife a suicide and her heartbreaking note stating that she was so lonely and confused that she could no longer endure.

Husbands must get our security from Jesus and realize that He loves us just the way we are. Then let us dare to be vulnerable (love is vulnerable) and allow our wives to point out where we need to improve. Our wives have been given to us as “best friends” in order to help make us like Jesus. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6) would certainly fit the loving criticism given to me by a caring wife.

WINNING ACTIONS

1) Never Compare

Never compare your wife to other women, be wise in your relationships with the opposite sex and let your wife know that she meets all your needs. These three principles will build her confidence.

2) Patience, Patience!

Cultivate patience, compassion and a sense of romance rather than the foolish attitude of “I’m married, so what else is new?” “Me Tarzan, you Jane” may work in the movies but not in a marriage.

3) The Tender Touch

The tender touch and the compassionate word should continue through the years. How a wife craves these two deep needs in her life! The wise husband who has recognized the importance of touch and the wonder of gentleness in word and action will find his wife crazy about him whether in the vigor of his youth or later when the wrinkles settle in.

CONCLUSION

Ephesians 5:33 (Amplified Bible) is every husband’s command from the Lord, “let each man love his wife as being in a sense his own self…” If we lack that love, we can find a whole reservoir in Jesus. Let’s ask Him to deliver us from self-centeredness and fill us with an ocean of His love. Then, let’s turn on the faucets and release that love through tender words and actions that let our wives know that they are the greatest masterpieces that God ever created.

Next lesson: The miracle called marriage—A word to wiVES

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras