Love Never Fails, But People Do
By Dawn Neely
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such things; but that she would be holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25-27
The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man… Genesis 2:22
My husband and I have been married for forty years. My husband is also my pastor! During our forty years of marriage we have moved six times, welcomed four beautiful daughters into our family, faced cancer, financial hardships, illnesses, the death of our parents, the loss of a grandchild through miscarriage, and learned through good times and bad that God is faithful!
My husband and I decided early on that we would never argue in front of our children. We would present a united front even if we did disagree. My husband always presented me to our children and to others “without spot or blemish” and complimented me in front of others. We decided to schedule a date a week.
Even if it was just to walk around Wal-Mart when there was little money to spend, we were together and we were talking. Communication is so important and my husband told me once, “I never want to be surprised by your prayer requests in church.”
Intimacy is not only physical but spiritual as well. To be able to discuss spiritual matters and our most private prayers brought us together as one.
To keep the spice in our relationship is to remember that a man is a microwave and a woman is a crock pot! The manner in which romance is woven in a woman’s heart by her husband is the best foreplay a woman can have!
I’ve told my husband, the way you love me during the day goes a long way toward our time together at night! Romance and intimacy are more than just dinner and flowers.
It’s showing your love to each other in the little ways every day. My husband sends me texts that remind me he loves me or that he can’t wait to see me soon.
We pray together each morning before we part for the day, and my husband gives me a specific blessing for the day. He opens the door for me; pulls out my chair at restaurants; hugs me, kisses me when we see one another at the end of the day and helps me wash the dishes.
It is effective, romantic, and makes me cherish him all the more.
My husband told me once that while Adam was sleeping, God fashioned Eve for him. His point to me was that Eve had a relationship with God before Adam, and that is how it is supposed to be.
I can’t be right for my husband unless I am right with God. So I make daily steps to cultivate my relationship with God which helps me to grow in godly love for my husband.
My husband has said to me that I am God’s daughter, and he does a fabulous job of treating me this way.
Forgiveness, finding the good, forgetting the bad, communication, protecting your marriage, not taking anything for granted and remembering that you made a promise for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health before God must not be lost.
As I respect my husband and do him good; as I pray for him as no one else can; and, as I honor the fact that out of all the men in the world, God meant for us to be together, I rejoice! Marriage takes work… even after 40 years. But how sweet is that labor when I look at the man I still adore and think, “Wow! I love him!”
If you don’t already have this established, plan a weekly date night (or lunch or breakfast date) with your husband. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, even just a walk around the block or a quiet 20 minutes on the back deck with a cup of coffee would do the trick.
Don’t forget to invite God too.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect plan. Thank You for making us to enjoy relationship and for making us to be help mates for our husbands. Thank You for giving us guidelines in Your Word as to what that relationship should be like and thank You for being the head of that relationship. Marriage is hard, thank You for making it easier when we put You first. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
© 2017 by Dawn Neely. All rights reserved.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Pull up a chair… He’sbeen waiting for you.
Need a refill? Please join us at the Encouragement Café with Luann and Friends.
The conversation at the Café is always hot and fresh. We invite you to listen inas we gather around the table to discuss everyday life.
Comfort food for your soul is always on our menu, and friends are always close enough to hug. We invite you to join us daily, as our writer’s share how the Lord continues to transform them into His glorious image.
Still craving more…Join us as we grow together in grace and truth through our online bible study.
Stop by Encouragement Café and listen as the girls share life. Find podcasts, videos, Bible studies, prayer, resources and daily helpings of hope, laughter and friendship around our table. We've saved a seat just for you!