Wednesday, July 11, 2012

A woman's take on a REAL man



Sometimes figuring out what your woman wants can be as difficult as explaining string theory or figuring out what movies will get nominated for best picture.


Deep down, a godly woman wants a godly man, though she might not say so. How does she need that fleshed out? You'll find that in God's word.

Often, it bears fruit to just listen to your bride. No doubt it will vary from lass to lass, but here's a list from a wife who follows after God to give you some idea. She's doesn't hammer, belittle, or berate men but encourages women to hold out for real men who live by these ennobling traits and characteristics. They are out there.  Here's hoping it's you.

As far as it jives with God's word, be this guy (parentheticals, mine):
    A man who communes with his Creator daily and strives to live a life that glorifies God.

    A man who works long hours and spends his hard-earned wages to care for his family, [care for his church, care for the lost, and care for the poor]. And on occasion treats his family to a Cherry Limeade and Redbox rental.

    A man who reaches down to pick up his little girl when she trips and falls and holds her close until her tears are gone.

    A man who gathers his children around him at night to tell them a story.

    A man who would never go see a movie about a group of female strippers, no matter how many people were saying it was okay.

    A man who researches recipes on the internet and makes a huge and messy meal in the kitchen so his beloved doesn’t have to make supper one night.

    A man who treats the elderly with respect and dignity by listening to them tell stories about their glory days.

    A man who tends to the azalea bushes by the front porch, clipping them down when they need it and watering them morning after morning after morning.

    A man who hops up from his reading when he hears you doing the dishes and gives you a hand [or does the dishes always since she crafts the most sumptuous meals].

    A man who thoughtfully answers every question his little boy has about “why?” and “how?” the world and everything in it works.

    A man who leaves whatever he is doing to help you when your car breaks down.

    A man who gets up at night to fix the baby a bottle while you lay drooling on your pillow [or if nursing, changes the diaper and brings you the baby].

    A man who comes home with the new book you’ve been wanting, and its not even your birthday.

    A man who has trained his eyes to look away from other women, even when they look better than you do.

    A man who is humble enough to grow, long after he has become an adult.

    A man who wants you and finds his satisfaction in you, and you alone, after many years of marriage and fidelity [think "marital plane" and not spiritual absolute; then we would be speaking of God as our sole satisfaction].

    A man with happy wrinkles around his eyes that prove how many times he has smiled at you.

    A man who sets up controls on his computer to avoid even the temptation to look at pornography.

    A man who has dignity and modesty and self-control.

    A man who refuses to speak profanity and hushes others when they use it in your vicinity.

    A man who would give his life for you and the children, in a heartbeat.

    A man who says “I do”…for better or for worse…for richer or poorer…in sickness and in health…forever.

Monday, July 9, 2012

A husband's biggest mistake?

From the other room, I heard a sober "Wow," fall from the lips of my wife. "Check this out," she beckoned. The quote that caught her eye:

A MAN'S BIGGEST MISTAKE 
IS GIVING ANOTHER MAN 
AN OPPORTUNITY TO 
MAKE HIS WOMAN SMILE.

Let's apply it to where to our marriage relationships:

A HUSBAND'S BIGGEST MISTAKE 
IS GIVING ANOTHER MAN 
AN OPPORTUNITY TO 
MAKE HIS WIFE SMILE.

Really my point here is not to argue the greatest mistake or whether or not mistakes equate directly to sin. I would like you to simply let the main idea of the maxim marinate in your mind.

Let's revisit that which we've tried to hammer home in the past. 

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."
~ Proverbs 18:22

King Lemuel highlighted the same point by driving home that an excellent wife is worth far more than jewels (Proverbs 31:10). Peter's usage of "weaker vessel" also points to the valuable and precious thing that is a wife. If a man is married, he has no greater treasure in this life than the one that lays beside him at night. She is...
    His best friend. 
    His lover. 
    His helper. 
    His completer. 
    His confidant. 
    His comforter. 
    His encourager. 
    His rebuker.
Some might bluster that these are actions of God. Yes. God should be my best friend. I should have no greater love in this life than him. He is described as Comforter and yes, he disciplines. But he is the One who has given man woman on this earth to do and be these things in the physical realm. This is a good thing (or so says Almighty God).


Back, then, to the old saw at the start of the post. Do I so treasure my woman, do I hold her in such high honor and high esteem, do I love her so deeply and so completely that if another man does make her smile, she snickers inside because she has a man at home that does so much more for her than make her smile?


    A man who listens to what she says 
    A man who loves her from stem to stern 
    A man who is tender in a manner that doesn't always lead to the bedroom 
    A man who is strong and will not be domineered
    A man who serves in the home, in the community, in the church, and in his work 
    A man who leads his family and leads his wife
    A man who seeks to satisfy her physical and emotional needs 
     A man who will join his wife in her joys from time to time 
    A man who invites his woman to join him in his
They say that the best defense is a good offense. The best way to prevent adulterous leanings? Have a great marriage now. The best way to have a great marriage now? You be a great husband now! As husbands and wives honor God by becoming one flesh (and ALL that that entails inside and outside the bedroom), they give no place for Satan to do his dirty work, destroy the marriage, and disgrace the name of God (1 Corinthians 7:5).


So husband, love your wife. Go make her smile!