BE YOUR SPOUSE’S GREATEST CHEERLEADER

Some years ago, we had a very faulty generator and terrible power supply in the area we lived. One night, some minutes right after the generator repairer left, the generator shut down – it was a season of physical heat, but it was also a season of marital heat.

Irewamiri got tired of the situation and of my pastoral response to an emotional matter (I told her we should worship God rather than worry). It was a tough week.

We had a major conference starting in church. While we were still trying to get our groove back, I had to step in to take a session because our invited speaker was absent. As I stood on the podium, placards went off in rhythm from church stewards with “Pastor, We Love You” written on them. I dropped a tear because there was nothing they did that carried as much weight as the affirmation, warmth, and support of my wife.

First, public packaging without marital harmony is self-deceit. Invest significantly in making your marriage work. One of the ways to do it is to encourage one another unto more excellent works and heights. Give what it takes to see that your husband or your wife leaves home every day with the strength to take on the day.

Honestly speaking, the streets are already full of discouragements and “nay-sayers” that you cannot afford to join the list. Encouraging one another to do great works is still a Christian virtue.

Discover creative ways to encourage others and motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love.
Hebrews 10:24 TPT

Second, public appreciation and accolades without appreciation from your spouse will carry less weight. A friend once told his wife that “For the world, you may be just one person, but to one person, you are the entire world”. I can not agree less. The vote of your spouse carries a lot of weight.

To parents, you need to be there for your children. Your care and affirmation are like priceless trophies. We need to come back to realise that the most significant awards and titles would be family tied- ” Father, Mother, Husband, and Wife”.

People may talk down on the family system, but God tied the fulfilment of divine prophecies and promises to how we handle our domestic affairs.

God said this about Abraham:
“I have chosen him in order that he may command his sons and his descendants to obey me and to do what is right and just. If they do, I will do everything for him that I have promised.” Genesis 18:19 GNT

Paul also admonished that church leaders must first be great family leaders:

So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife… He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? 1 Timothy 3:2 , 4 – 5 NLT

Did you see the first thing that shows your life is above reproach? Faithfulness to your spouse.

Beloved, public appreciation is weighty, but it loses weight when the home front is not in shape. Appreciate your spouse.

temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa