Ephesians 5:1-2, 28-29 – “…be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us…28 husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church…”
It’s February, and we are quickly heading for that day on the calendar the ladies love known as Valentine’s Day. Unlike the movies, men are often needing things spelled out for them by the woman they love. In the words of Jerry Macguire, the men cry out, ‘help me, help you…’ Meanwhile the woman they love is wanting something thoughtful, creative, and romantic birthed of his own accord. Maybe I’m over-generalizing, but regardless, the Apostle Paul offers some great advice for men to consider in how to love their wives well and honor Christ in the process.
The Apostle tells Christian men to consider how they think about and take care of their own body’s needs in relation to how to love their wives well. When our bodies are hungry, tired or hurting, we are not passive about it. We start thinking about how to proactively go about meeting the need our body is crying out for. There are also daily habits such as brushing our teeth and taking a shower that grow into the automatic habit of knowing our bodies will then be received well by others.
Men, are you proactively pursuing habits and routines that will nourish the soul of your wife and make her feel cherished by you? I’ve learned I need to wash dishes, set up coffee, and take out the garbage, along with brushing my teeth and taking a shower daily for my wife to feel cared for. I’ve learned that after we have an emotional exchange, I need to pursue hugging her and making her feel secure about our relationship. I’ve learned that anytime I can do something thoughtful, just because, it makes her feel cherished. And I’ve learned I need to be praying continually for our hearts to be united and for me to be able to see the little things I can do to help.