Love Archives - Page 5 of 6

How Will They Know Love?

January 25, 2011 by Tracey 21 Comments

Sunday was Valentine’s Day.

Yes, I know it was only January 23rd, but a gift of love was given to me. It wasn’t flavored with chocolate, wrapped in a heart-shaped box, or dangling from a chain.

I’ve read the book on love languages and still don’t think I could tell you mine, but I sure know love when I see it.

On the way home from the Sunday morning church service, my husband noticed the quarter of a tank of gas in my car and stopped at the gas station to fill it up.

While I sat at the dining room table after finishing our meal, he headed to the kitchen and washed every single dish.

When I felt a bit cold and added an extra layer of clothing, he started the gas fireplace to warm up the house.

Love in action.

Yet not only was this early, unintended Valentine’s day gift for me, but I believe it was also for our children. Though they didn’t comment, they are always observing.

One day, our daughters will wonder what true love from a man looks like. Into their minds will seep memories of their dad – pumping gas, washing dishes, starting a fire.

Then they’ll know that love isn’t just flowery words or expensive presents or an emotional high; it’s an unselfish act, done simply to bring joy to another.

Just One Night

November 16, 2010 by Tracey 7 Comments

It was only for one night.

A retreat at work required an overnight stay, so my husband wouldn’t be coming home. Simple enough. Several years ago, we lived apart for five months during a move between states. Surely one night would be nothing.

But I missed him by early afternoon; when he called around suppertime, I told him so.

You see, one of my favorite parts of every day is nighttime. The house is quiet; our girls are in bed, chores are done, and we sit together on the couch – working on our laptops, reading a book or watching a ballgame. We’ll talk if something comes to us – or not. Either way, it’s just being with him, having him there, that comforts me.

Yes, I survived the night just fine. I borrowed some of my daughter’s Bible verses to help me fall asleep alone. I know there are wives everywhere whose husbands are gone for weeks – even months – at a time. So tonight, when we climb into bed, I will make sure to be thankful that I have him beside me.

This post is linked to Gratituesday and Tuesdays Unwrapped.

Life Support

November 15, 2010 by Tracey 3 Comments

After filling our minds with a host of positive attributes possessed by the virtuous woman, Proverbs 31:23 reveals some information about the man to whom she is married. “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.’

The Virtuous Woman is Supportive.

In Old Testament days, the gates of a city were a place of prominence. Much of the public business of the culture, including legal transactions and administrative affairs, was conducted in this area. A man who was well-known in this location would have been a leader and important official in the city.

As we have seen repeatedly, the lady of Proverbs 31 was a wise steward who conducted the affairs of her home in a way that would have given her husband the freedom to pursue his business interests and focus on the needs of his work. Certainly, she also had a reputation that would not have hindered him in his pursuits, but would have been an asset to his career.

Hence, I must ask myself the following: Am I this type of supportive helpmeet for my husband? As much as possible, do I take care of things around the home that my husband might be free from those cares? Do I pray for him while he is at work, asking for God’s leading in decisions he makes and wisdom for circumstances he will face? Finally, do I seek to be a Godly wife with a reputation that will enhance – not harm- my husband’s ministry?

With God’s help, I want to be a blessing to my husband, supporting him in every endeavor through prayer, encouraging words and faithful actions.

photo courtesy public domain pictures

I Will Do Him Good

September 6, 2010 by Tracey 5 Comments

Will the way I treat my husband today be for his good?

Proverbs 31:12: “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”

The Virtuous Woman is Pure.

Her motives are pure. She seeks what is best for him; she is not sneaky or conniving, trying to manipulate him into doing what she wants.

Her actions are pure. She meets his needs and chooses to do those things that will gain his approval. It is more important to her that he be benefited by her actions than that her own reputation be promoted.

Her words are pure. She encourages and uplifts, refusing to use her words to tear down or berate. Yet she admonishes when needed, but always in private with a humble heart, a gracious spirit and a gentle tone.

Her heart is pure. She wants to be a true help meet, so she strives to maintain her walk with God while bathing her husband in prayer. She doesn’t seek to re-make her husband according to her wishes, but does all that she can to help him become the man God would have him to be.

Just three weeks into our study of the virtuous woman, I realize how utterly helpless I am to be like her. Only by the Holy Spirit’s power can I have the wisdom and strength to be a Godly wife and mother.

Read previous attributes of the virtuous woman here and here.

He Trusts Her

August 30, 2010 by Tracey 5 Comments

Do our husbands trust us?

Proverbs 31:11 makes the following statement about the virtuous woman: “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.”

What an amazing privilege it is for a wife to have the trust of her husband’s heart! According to the dictionary, this means he has a “firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person…”

A Virtuous Woman is Trustworthy.

The virtuous woman is deserving of her husband’s trust and confidence.

When he is away, he does not worry that she is indulging in improper behavior or neglecting their children.

He knows that the finances of the home are in good hands; she will be a wise steward of the resources they have.

He has confidence that she is teaching the children Biblical principles and guiding the home in a way that is pleasing to God.

When she gathers with a group of women, he is not concerned that she may be gossipping or sharing stories that put him in a negative light.

As I stated last week, studying the Proverbs 31 woman is a challenge to me! I ask for God’s help in becoming a wife whose ways cause her husband to trust her completely.

If you missed the beginning of this series, you can read it here.

A Woman of Value

August 23, 2010 by Tracey 4 Comments

I am beginning a series on Proverbs 31 with much fear and trepidation. People with a stronger spiritual walk and a deeper knowledge of the Bible have preached sermons and written books on this famous passage. I will simply be communicating my thoughts and perspective on the attributes of the virtuous woman.

In addition, I have found that when I study and share truth from the Bible, I am immediately tested in that area. Therefore, this series is meant to be a challenge to myself as much as to anyone else. I also want to be reminded of the importance of imparting these principles to my daughters.

Some years ago I did a study of Proverbs 31:10-31 and came up with one word that described the main characteristic portrayed in each verse. Every Monday for the next several weeks, I’ll share the word I chose and encourage you to add your thoughts on that particular verse.

The passage begins in verse ten which says, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”

A Virtuous Woman is Valuable.

Virtue is defined as “the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.” I like that both the positive and negative aspects are included. If I am to be a virtuous woman, I must do those things that are right while avoiding attitudes and actions that are wrong.

From the verse, it appears that a woman who is full of virtue is difficult to find. That lets me know that being a virtuous woman is not easy. It requires a relationship with God that includes time in His Word and in prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit’s help in discerning right and wrong and for the power to make correct choices.

As I grow in virtue, I become valuable – to my Lord, in performing His will for my life; to my family, by being a wife and mother who embraces good and shuns evil; and to others by setting a Christ-like example for living.

What does it mean to you to be a virtuous woman? Is there someone you know who exemplifies the Proverbs 31 woman? I’d enjoy reading your thoughts on this verse.

photo courtesy public domain pictures

I Do

July 27, 2010 by Tracey 20 Comments

Nineteen years ago today, I said “I do.”

At that moment, the boy I first noticed in a college lecture class became my husband, the man who walks life’s road beside me. He listens without judging, thinks clearly when I give way to emotion, loves me when I’m feeling my most unlovely.

As we stood at the marriage altar that afternoon, no one knew what the coming years would hold. We’ve traversed many a mountaintop, enjoying successes, celebrating victories. The valleys, though few, have been deep. Yet those times have bound our hearts and hands together in the strongest of ways; you can’t stand arm in arm by the grave of your child and ever be the same.

So today, I know not what lies ahead, the joys and challenges we have yet to meet. But I believe, in my heart of hearts, as good as it’s been – the best is yet to be.

Happy Anniversary, my love!

Celebrate everyday moments at Tuesdays Unwrapped hosted by Chatting at the Sky.

I Hear the Love

May 18, 2010 by Tracey 16 Comments

Love is building your wife a bookcase, to the exact specifications of one she already has.

It’s taking the time to make it as perfect as possible, even adding trim and adjustable shelves for a professional look.

It’s trying several different finishes, searching to create the style she desires, and not complaining when she decides that she just wants it painted.

It’s spending Saturday afternoon in a hot garage with pungent paint fumes so that it will be finished and ready to use.

The longer I’m married, the more I’m learning that there are many ways to say “I love you.” They aren’t always verbal, nor physical, nor emotional – and rarely wrapped in a package with a bow on top. But if I listen with my heart, I can hear it….in the popping of a nail gun, the whirring of a sander.

When all is said and done, it’s more than a bookcase – it’s a labor of love.

Unwrap the gifts of the every day at Tuesdays Unwrapped, hosted by Chatting at the Sky.

A Mom Worthy of Honor

May 6, 2010 by Tracey 6 Comments

She called last night to check on me, to see if I had recovered from a brief illness the day before.

For over forty years, she’s been making sure I was okay, that my needs were met, that I was safe and happy.

Though the miles prevent us from seeing each other often, when we are together the talk flows easily. I can share with her – problems and disappointments, successes and victories – and get wisdom and advice for challenges I may be facing.

Her love for my daughters is all-encompassing. It shows in the way she plans for our visits – hiding a treat under their pillow for that first night, storing up new books to read with them, planning a favorite breakfast. She is a role model all grandmothers could follow.

I doubt I will ever understand the enormity of the sacrifices she has made through the years to allow my brothers and sister and I to have all that we did. I’m certain I didn’t appreciate it as I should. Becoming a mom myself has perhaps granted me a window into that part of her soul.

The Master that she serves has made her the woman she is – one that I love and respect from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you, mom, for being a woman who is truly worth honoring on Mother’s Day.

7 Ways to Let Your Husband Know You Love Him

March 22, 2010 by Tracey 11 Comments

An important aspect of teaching our daughters about true love is modeling a Christian marriage for them. As I nurture my relationship with my husband, I hope to set an example of love and commitment that they can follow in their own future marriages.

Here are seven ideas of simple things we as wives can do to show our love to our husbands.

Source

1. Pray for him. We know our husband better than anyone else does – the areas in which he struggles, the decisions he’s facing, the dreams and goals he has. What better way to help and serve our husbands than by taking these things to the throne of grace and uplifting him in prayer.

2. Tell him. Every day give verbal affirmation to your husband of your love for him. Thank him for the things he provides for your family and let him know that you are proud of him.

3. Write notes. Put a “love note” in his lunch or his pants pocket so that he will find it during the day or attach a sticky note to the bathroom mirror. Send him a quick e-mail at work just to let him know you are thinking about him.

4. Greet him happily when he comes home at the end of the day. Don’t make him delve into deep conversation right away; save any necessary discussions for later in the evening.

5. Do the little things without being asked. If you know he needs a shirt ironed, have it ready for him. See what you can provide that he might need to get through his day.

6. Be interested in his interests. Try to learn a little about his favorite sport or hobby so that you can talk intelligently with him about it.

7. Let him be himself. Don’t compare him to others. Don’t ask him to do things you know he won’t enjoy or put him in situations you know will make him uncomfortable.

I always feel like I could do so much better in encouraging my husband and showing my love and support for him. Just posting this list challenges me in this are!

How do you encourage your husband? I’d love to hear your ideas!