R-e-s-p-e-c-t
Joe and I will celebrate our fourteenth anniversary on April 18. Our marriage has been an amazing journey marked with trials and triumphs. I’ve known from the beginning that among the many great qualities Joe possesses he is very patient. But I’ve only come to realize the depth of his patience over the past few years.
As much as I love him I have to admit that I haven’t always shown him the respect he deserves. I thought I did. No, that’s not altogether true. I pretended I did. But countless times I tore him down with my mouth. I’d often brush it off and tell myself that I was only venting to him and scratch my head as to how in the world he would take it personally. But other times there was no denying it and certainly no excusing it. I flat out disrespected him.
Looking back I see how I took advantage of his patience and made light of the weakness that is my temper. Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses is vital in this life. But knowing them alone is not enough. If we’re not careful we’ll cradle our vices like they’re an inseparable part of us. The truth is that we are toying with sin when we do this.
I had become quite comfortable with making the most important person in this world to me the scapegoat for every frustration and upset that came my way. Though there were many occasions in which I’d felt he had wronged me and thus, my attitude toward him was justified in my mind, there was never an excuse for my blatant disrespect. Don’t misunderstand me—I’m not implying that we wives don’t have the right to confront or discuss or even effectively argue with our husbands. But this wasn’t the case. The ugly truth is that what proceeded out of my mouth was downright sinful. It wasn’t always what I said but how I said it.
A foolish woman tears her own house down {Proverbs 14:1}.
One day he’d had enough. Several years ago during an all out fight late one night he’d said so. “I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!” Those five words were a revelation that left me speechless. Painful truth had exposed me. The following days were a time of reflection and repentance for me. I knew he was right and I knew something had to change. I had to change. I admitted this to Joe and promised things would be different.
I knew Ephesians 5. I knew what the Lord required of me—submission and respect. With His help I determined to do this. The thing about respect is that we have to choose to show it just as we choose to love. It’s a choice. While respect is in some ways earned it is also required in others. Children are required to respect their parents in the position and authority they hold. Citizens are required to respect law enforcers. And respect is also required of wives. It’s not about whether or not they uphold their position perfectly. Men crave respect. They need it. God made them this way.
I found that the more I submitted to this the easier it became. In times past I’d buck the system over issues from parenting to finances to simple words of advice. But I started listening more carefully when suggestions were made. I became especially attentive to Joe’s wishes, thoughts and opinions even when I didn’t understand or I completely disagreed. My opinions matter to him and be sure that they are heard. But ultimately he is the head of my home and I’ve learned that when I trust God to lead him and choose to submit that He works exceeding abundantly above all that I could ask or think.
Perhaps you’ve struggled with your relationship with your husband. Maybe he’s hurt you deeply. It matters. These things aren’t meant to be disregarded. However, when we choose to disrespect our husbands because they’ve wronged us it’s not only noneffective, it’s damaging. The marital problems multiply. But when we take our hurts to the Lord and choose to obey Him by respecting our husbands we give Him something to work with. If we’re willing and obedient we’ll eat of the good of the land {Isaiah 1:19}.
As I reflect over the past fourteen years I can see the transition that took place when respect became a priority. I’ve learned that some of the issues that I had in the past with my husband were a direct result of my not respecting him for years. I’ve witnessed firsthand the beauty that God brings out of obedience to His Word.
For our upcoming anniversary I’ve decided to order an I RESPECT My Husband t-shirt from Union 28.
I wondered if others would find this prideful or arrogant and I second guessed this decision. After all, I haven’t been a prime example of respect. And now you know this truth. But I’ve made a choice. Though I’ve faltered and will yet again, I’ve determined to make this a priority—
I choose to RESPECT my husband!
Aw, this was an extremely good post. Spending some time and actual effort
to generate a superb article… but what can I say… I put
things off a whole lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.
What’s up friends, nice paragraph and fastidious
arguments commented at this place, I am really enjoying by these.
Don’t Buy Into These “Trends” About Prettiest Pornstars
Prettiest pornstar
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with helpful information to work on. You’ve
performed an impressive job and our whole community will likely
be thankful to you.
What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has helped me out
loads. I’m hoping to contribute & aid other users like its aided me.
Good job.
I like it when folks come together and share ideas.
Great site, stick with it!
3 Reasons The Reasons For Your Female Pornstars Is Broken (And How To Fix It) xxx
This post gives clear idea for the new users of blogging, that really
how to do blogging and site-building.
I do believe all of the ideas you’ve introduced on your post.
They are really convincing and will certainly work.
Nonetheless, the posts are very quick for beginners. May just you please prolong them a little from next
time? Thanks for the post.
These are truly wonderful ideas in on the topic of
blogging. You have touched some nice factors here.
Any way keep up wrinting.
Link exchange is nothing else however it is simply placing
the other person’s blog link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do same in favor of
you.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely return.
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS.
I don’t understand the reason why I can’t subscribe to it.
Is there anybody getting identical RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanx!!
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who had been conducting a little research on this.
And he actually ordered me lunch simply because I found it
for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….
Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx
for spending time to talk about this matter here on your web site.
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually understand what you’re speaking approximately!
Bookmarked. Kindly additionally talk over with my website =).
We can have a hyperlink trade contract among us
Can you tell us more about this? I’d care to find out some
additional information.
Kommentar ist hier
Very descriptive article, I enjoyed that bit. Will there be a part 2?
We stumbled over here from a different web page and thought I
might check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
Look forward to looking at your web page again.
Good way of telling, and fastidious piece of writing to get information on the topic of my presentation subject matter, which i am
going to deliver in school.
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and
it’s time to be happy. I’ve learn this put up and if I may just I want to suggest you few interesting issues or suggestions.
Maybe you can write next articles regarding this article.
I desire to read more things approximately it!
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this fantastic blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to brand new updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group.
Talk soon!
I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing,
and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head.
The issue is something that not enough people are speaking
intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I came across this in my
hunt for something concerning this.
No matter if some one searches for his required thing, thus he/she wishes to be available
that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Buy Adult Custom Bunk Bed.
Regards
It’s amazing to pay a visit this website and
reading the views of all friends regarding this post, while I am also eager of getting experience.
Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you
if that would be okay. I’m definitely enjoying your
blog and look forward to new updates.
No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing, therefore he/she needs to be available
that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over
here.
Hey very nice website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing
.. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also?
I’m glad to find numerous useful information right here within the
put up, we want develop extra techniques in this regard,
thanks for sharing. . . . . .
atarax 20mg
Hi there mates, how is all, and what you would like to say on the topic of this paragraph,
in my view its in fact awesome in support of me.
I do not even understand how I ended up here, however I believed this post
used to be great. I don’t recognize who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger in the event you are not already.
Cheers!
It’s very effortless to find out any matter on web as compared to textbooks, as I found this post at this
web site.
Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely magnificent.
I actually like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like
what you are stating and the way in which
you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to
keep it wise. I can not wait to read much more from you.
This is really a tremendous website.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post.
Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your website in internet explorer,
might test this? IE still is the marketplace leader
and a good portion of people will pass over your
fantastic writing because of this problem.
Hey! I realize this is kind of off-topic but I needed to ask.
Does operating a well-established blog such as yours require a large amount of
work? I am brand new to writing a blog however I do write in my journal every day.
I’d like to start a blog so I can share my experience and feelings online.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for brand new aspiring blog owners.
Appreciate it!
My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less.
I’ve been using Movable-type on numerous websites for about a
year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it?
Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
Hi there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to give it a look.
I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be
tweeting this to my followers! Outstanding blog and brilliant design.
I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering problems with your blog.
It appears as if some of the written text on your posts are running off the
screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to
them too? This may be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Kudos