“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” — 1 John 4:11
Look at that picture! This type of thing doesn’t happen often, and it really shouldn’t because life and “stuff” happens bright and early and late into the night around here. However, it warmed my heart when my husband delivered this tray to me in bed, one recent Saturday morning, after an especially busy week.
When we were newlyweds (20 years ago), I remember him telling me a story about an older couple in his church. He told me how the husband, at least in his 70s at the time, came out of his house to meet his pastor so they could visit some people in the church together. The man was fuming and saying, “That, woman!” His pastor was shocked at his frustration, thinking this older couple was happily married. Come to find out, he was so upset with his wife because he could never out do her love and kindness towards him. At least that was the way it felt to him. Wow!
Phillip told me he wanted to always try to be that kind of husband- always trying to take better care of me than I do of him. We agreed we wanted to be like that couple in our 70s, years down the road. So, for the last 20 years, it’s been a contest of love and sacrifice but not in a stressful, competitive kind of way. We haven’t always been perfect about it because we’re flawed humans, but we have always endeavored to find ways to “out love” and out do the other one. I think that may be what Ephesians 5 was talking about for husbands and wives. I’m so grateful that the Holy Spirit produces His fruit in our lives. All we need to do is yield to Him.
Tip: Read Ephesians 5:22-33 with fresh eyes and a tender heart that has a desire to show Christ’s love to the world as you demonstrate it through your marriage.
