I have been reading this book called "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, and I have to say it has really opened my eyes to so many things with my marriage! I have been married for almost 18 years now, and we have definitely had our ups and downs. I like to say we've been through everything but a terminal illness! Hopefully we won't have to go through something like that, but if we do, I know we'll be alright as long as we keep God with us.
I have been learning so much about all the things my husband needs and it has been so eye opening and inspiring. I have learned that just because he doesn't always say he loves me DOES NOT mean that he doesn't. I used to ask him all the time if he really loved me...it seemed he didn't because of the way I was "viewing" things. But now I KNOW he loves me. He just doesn't show it the way that t.v.'s husbands or boyfriends show it.
He shows it EVERY SINGLE DAY by going to work and putting up with all kinds of nonsense for me and the kids. Then he goes out and works a second job to prove his love even more. He bought me a minivan about 3 years ago to show his love for me....unfortunately I threw a hissy fit because I didn't want to be in debt anymore. Now I know to let him do things he wants to do to show me love and stop whining about it.
He shows me love everytime he walks past me and doesn't go out of his way to avoid me. He loves me by telling the kids to show me respect. He shows me by sitting down and eating whatever I cook, whether he likes it or not. He shows me by not trying to force his thoughts and opinions on me.
Right now he's showing me by respecting my feelings over some issues that have arisen with others. He's showing me also by not forcing me to get rid of our little terrier named "Angel" that doesn't quite act like an angel.
I'm finally learning (and it will be a LONG TIME before I totally get it, if I ever fully do) how to work on not nagging at him or belittling him. I'm learning how to have an uplifting spirit throughout the day for him and trying to make the house a sanctuary for him after a long days work.
Right now I'm working on not getting so frustrated with the kids when they get rowdy in the house...after all, it is cold outside these days, so it's not like they can always just run out and play.
I've got a long way to go on learning to be the kind of wife God wants me to be, but I am working on it! And I thank God for putting special people in my life who have helped me "see the light". You all know who you are!
I LOVE this, Cynthia. :)
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