Husbands love your wives

 

This scripture is a commandment given to men in Ephesians 5:25. Which reads: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it. Some versions state" and gave his life for it." I have looked for a commandment for wives to love their husbands, but I have not found that reference yet. It does state that wives should be subject to their husbands, but there is a clue that I have found in verse 33. "Nevertheless, do ye also severally love each one his wife even as himself, and let the wife see that she fears her husband." The keyword in this passage is "see." In the Mariam Webster dictionary, one of the definitions of see is to perceive or become aware of, recognize or examine. I take this to be undeniably evident to the wife so that she can feel it is proper to fear, not meaning dread, fright, horror, or terror, but to revere one's husband. We men act more on logic and reason as opposed to feelings. (or should) feelings are not the area in which we are at our best. The scope of feelings is the realm where the female of the human species is more adept in operating. I know on several occasions that my espoused had pointed out something she noticed in the realm of feelings that have turned out to be accurate. Watching her do homework with the 7-year-old daily is a task that I am ill-suited to perform; however, it is right in the middle of her skillset.

 I retired to take care of her as she sometimes requires assistance with an ongoing chronic condition. I am becoming intimately aware of Ephesians 5:25, what did I give up? I was an IT guy for 19 years and could have continued in that career for a few more years, but I consider what I am doing now to be a calling, a duty to my family. Recently, I have prepared meals and been a mentor to the young men who have shown me gratitude for what I do daily. It is something that I have taken great pride in doing well. I do whatever is necessary.

A verse earlier tells wives to be subject to their husbands, as we are subject to Christ. That seems to be the opposite of the message of 21-century life. There is a secret in that passage, the thought that a husband and wife are a 100% functional unit. Nevertheless, to love each one his wife even as himself; let the wife see that she fears (respect, revers) her husband to take care of her and the family, which sometimes gets challenging. Having spent 39 years in the service of the United States, I have seen outstanding leaders, and I have seen leaders that were not worth the title. However, the ones that I remember and are inspired are the ones that I would follow no matter what.

            It is incumbent on us to be that leader that a person would willingly follow: this is a challenging situation as the dynamic is the same. Being a successful leader is a heavy responsibility and should not be taken lightly. We are all human, and we all have faults. The only perfect person was taken on trumped-up charges and crucified. There is a reason that the commandment is placed upon men and not women. Because being a loving leader is not in our nature. We want to be the dominant one in charge and let the chips fall where they may. Men are the ones that are given the duty to provide and protect, however being entities of free will, it does not turn out as intended. However, it does not negate the principle   It the nature of women to love and nurture. Telling a woman to love is somewhat redundant, as it is in the DNA of females to nurture and protect. One looks at nature to know that it is true. All manner of dangerous beasts is loving and kind to their own. All others need to keep their distance. By being that cohesive unit accountable to each other, we have the best vehicle for raising well-adjusted children. It has and does work with a less than optimal home situation. I'm not saying that is not the case. I am confident that the data backs up my contention that an intact nuclear family works better than the cases where an intact nuclear family is not present. I asked earlier, what did I give up? Proverbs 18:16 says, "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men." I have talents (gifts) that my experience has granted me. I can develop those talents and skills for the benefit of my family, giving me greater satisfaction than the career that I "gave up." I am working on one of those gifts at this very moment. Ok, I hope this was a good representation of the 04:30 wake-up call to inspire me.