June 1 Love and Respect

Ephesians 5:33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
 
THIS very simple-sounding verse can have significant impact on your marriage – and I will say on all of your relationships. There is a book and a ministry called “Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs” b Dr. Emerson & Sarah Eggerichs. This couple has discovered through years of pastoral ministry and counseling how essential it is for two things to exist in a marriage: Frist the wife must know her husband loves her. Second, the husband must know his wife respects him.
    Most of us would say, “What’s the big deal? It’s just two little words.” Please allow this testimony to demonstrate the power of God’s Word: “The other day I decided to tell my husband that I respect him. It felt so awkward to say the words, but I went for it and the reaction was unbelievable! He asked me why I respected him. I listed off a few things, and I watched his demeanor change right before my very eyes.
    “I am sad that I have been married twenty-two years and just now understand the respect message. I wrote my husband two letters about why I respect him. I am amazed at how it has softened him in his response to me. I have prayed for years that my husband would love me and speak my love language. But when I began to speak his language, then he responded with what I have wanted.”
    What Barb and I have learned from reading the book is to say, “I respect you, Bob, for…” and “I love you, Barb.” Even at 45 years-plus, the more I speak love, the more my love for Bab grows.
    So very often we become consumed with things that do not really matter. If God has given marriage to you, honor God by imitating his love and respect message to you. Live in his truth in your marriage. Believe that following God’s lessons will build a stronger union of love and respect between you and your spouse.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for loving me. Teach me about love and respect. Help me to live truly to what you say. In Jesus’ name, amen.