Guest Blogger: My wife, Melissa Manuel
I was inspired! My husband began his post with “So what exactly is a husband?” So, naturally I must begin with “So what exactly is a wife? Although I am learning more each day, I will share my thoughts. Today, our society is inundated with commercialism that portrays the wife’s role as one of privilege and entitlement. The character in this role is “entitled” to the extravagant wedding, the huge diamond, the enormous home on the corner, and top rate kids who are ever so polite and poised. If her husband isn’t able to supply those needs then surely she has the right to be disgruntled and threaten divorce, right? Wrong! I am not discounting traditions, nor am I belittling choice of lifestyle. I am only stating that the wife’s role is much more than being the benefactor of all things grand. It is a role of great responsibility before God and a role that requires strong spiritual and emotional resolve.
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. …and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
Ephesians 5:20-24; 33b
In this scripture Paul reminds me of several things:
We both have God ordained roles in our relationship.
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
What I didn’t realize when we first got married is that I had to pull my on spiritual weight in the relationship. For example, I became way too comfortable with expecting my husband to not only go to work, pay the bills, mow the lawn, have bible study with the kids, pray for them, talk with them…I thought it was ok for me to sit idly by and rate his progress, while doing nothing of value. Today we submit to each other, we have specified our expectations and we also know what God expects from each of us.
I submit to my husband for the greater good.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Although, my husband and I are partners in our relationship, I know that he is responsible to God for our family. He has to answer for us, so I will do everything I can to make his job easier. My love, support, and wisdom are always available to him and I hold nothing back, so that he can do the best job for God possible!
I understand that God knows best.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. …and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
I’ve heard so many stories of women become overly frustrated regarding this scripture, because their interpretation has been “ What? I have to obey my husband?! ”. He’s not the boss of me! This attitude of resistance and rebellion has carnal roots and has permeated the hearts of so many women. With this attitude, many women tend to resist God’s best and look for men who can be “sponsors” rather than husbands. What I understand and trust about God it that he knows what is best for me. My husband is my covering. He loves me, he protects me, and he provides for my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. He loves God and only wants the best for me. He is not a tyrant nor is he a bully. My husband rules over our home with great reverence for God and he watches over our family with gentleness and love.
As a wife, my role is to be the giver of hope, holy and wholesome communication, and encouragement. The wife is the heartbeat of the home. Her reward comes from God; she is showered with the love of her husband and the praise of her children.
You areso right. It takes a lot to be a wife. Lot of us goes in to a marriage with the wrong concept.
It requires a lot of love, patient , respect and understanding. You area wonderful wife and mother.
It is very important that in a marriage you learn to talk, love each other and pray together that God will make your marriage strong.