The day that reminds us to love (err respect)

So, Valentine's Day is coming up. This is a day that, for most women, can bring about any number of feelings. No matter how this day has gone for you in the past, this year why don't we let it be a reminder to show our loved ones how much we love and appreciate them all throughout the year?

There are numerous verses in the Bible that talk about love, both about Christ's love towards us and ours to Him, and about love between husbands and wives. It is a very important thing! You may have heard love being described as an action and not a feeling. I think this is true. One of our pastors at church once said something that has stuck with me. He said, "Feelings are not good leaders, but they are great followers". Feelings can come and go on a whim. When you married your spouse, you made the commitment to love even when you don't "feel" like it. When you make the choice to daily show love to your spouse, your feelings will follow your actions.

Things get tricky here, though, because while we as women speak the language of love, our husbands speak the language of respect. Ephesians 5:33 says, "Each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." God created women to love, so He does not have to remind them to love their husbands. He does have to tell them to respect their husbands, though, because that is not something that comes naturally. Similarly, God created men to respect, so He does not have to remind them to respect their wives. He does have to remind them to love their wives, because that is not something that comes naturally. It is no surprise that the words "when they deserve it" are missing from that verse. Feelings are not good leaders, but they are great followers. When a husbands feels respected, he will be drawn to love. When a woman feels loved, she will be drawn to respect. Take the initiative and make the first move!

Since this post has become much longer than I anticipated (not a surprise, if you know me), tomorrow I will share some ideas on ways we can show our husbands the respect that they crave.