How do I love this man?

29 Nov 2011 3 Comments

by rebecca7 in christianity, encouragement, faith, family, Jesus, Just thinking, Kids, Life, motherhood, Uncategorized

I am looking in the mirror. He walks in and stands directly behind me. Back tall. chest broad. His shoulders extending from behind me. My shoulders are almost as wide as his chest. His chin easily clearing the crown of my head. His hands rest on and engulf my shoulders. He smirks, “Your so small.”
“You like me small.” I tease.
“Yes. I. do. I could crush you.” As he slips his hands around me and pulls me close. And he has no idea how true those words are.
“But you won’t.” I say.
“Nope.” He confirms.
We catch each others eyes in the mirror……because this is not the first time we have played this game…and,by Gods grace, it will not be the last. We smile for just a second. Just a second…,before kids call and life happens and we go about our daily lives. But it’s in those seconds that I fall in love with him….again and again. But life is now happening and I pray that I am the helpmate he needs…that at the end of the day I have blessed him with so much more of me than that which is tangible.

Being a husband is a heavy burden to carry. So much falls on the shoulders of a man. For he will give an account to the Almighty Creator for how he led his family. Did he love his wife likes Christ loved the church, washing her in the Word so that she is white and blameless? Encouraging her to go beyond herself and become what God created her to be? Did he raise his children on the bread of life for the glory of God? Did he walk in such a way that his life left an impression of love and Jesus on the lives of those around him? Did he seek first the kingdom of God when the world told him to “stay safe” and not step out in faith? So many burdens.

Yes, we women have our callings too. We are all familiar with them….but for me….I am so very glad that God has called me to be a helpmate and not the head. Of course, I am equally important. Equally accountable. But so often I can get so caught up in “me” and my responsibilities that I forget the burden he carries….providing, loving, caring, managing projects in foreign countries, coordinating volunteers, support raising, networking in a country that is not his own, struggling to find personal time to hear from God, balancing time so he really KNOWS his 3 children individually, having fun with friends…..caring for a wife that needs him desperately. His world never stops…and yet he is faithful in a world that throws beauty at him left and right, he holds me tightly each night and brings treats home for us. He laughs at my silliness and prays every night with our children.

I am pondering today ….What kind of wife am I? Do I ease my husbands burdens? Do I let him dream with out judgment? Do I thank him for asking me to marry him when he knew the great responsibility he was taking on? Do I help him take the risks God is calling him to take? Am I joyful? Do I make our home a resting place?

There are many things in this world that demand my attention. Children, work, the endless chores that must be done, ministry, mentoring….and so many times I am asking him continually for more. More affection, more time, more understanding that dinner isn’t done or I need to scoot out for the night to meet with a friend. More more more….how much do I ask of myself to do for him? Am I as good of a wife asI want him to be a husband?

I know that many of you may be a bit more “feminist” minded than me. That’s ok. I used to be as well. But the older I get and the longer I am married I am discovering a few things that I never expected. The next few post will be on these discoveries and I hope you will be encouraged and join me in discussing how we (I) can answer the high calling of being a wife…by understanding the high calling of being a husband.

Blessings dear ones…