THE HUSBAND THAT WILL BE RESPECTED 8

Quite some things began to happen after my mum lost her sight in 1998, but one thing that did not happen was the burial of her dreams or vision. Her last artwork before she lost her sight was a cardboard cuts of a dancing woman pasted on board with these words written on it: “Life Goes On”

In that situation, I have seen people say to her, “Do not bother to do this or that”, but not my Dad. God bless him. He would support her all the way- from the days of baking home bread for sale, to running a creche, to starting up a school, to buying a laptop so she can type and publish children’s books, to leading the Sunday School team, to cooking meals.

He would say to her at times, “My dear friend, are you saying you cannot see me? Watch your steps”. She would reply, “If you don’t move, I will step on you and keep on going”. We would always have a good laugh.

A husband who will be respected will be the one who gives his wife wings to fly. He celebrates her process and acknowledges her strength. He nudges her on with inspiring words. He speaks life to her every day. He gives her a safe place in the night seasons.

A husband who will be respected will lead his wife into possibilities and not become a lid to her God-given dreams and vision.

The beauty of marriage is unveiled when both husband and wife grow together. Anytime growth is one-sided, it becomes cancerous! It destroys the home.

Hear Paul talk about how husbands should love their wives:

Ephesians 5:25-28 MSG
[25-28] Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.

Go all out in your love for her.
Let it be marked by giving, not getting.
Let your words and actions bring the best out of her.

Can you do that?
Will you do that?

You will earn respect that way.