Homo Sapien Husbandry

You've heard of animal husbandry, I'm sure. Well, this is like that, only specifically about being a human husband. There are certain things that I think every man who is married ought to know and do. Just in case you were wondering, here they are:

- Husbands, love your wives (Ephesians 5:25). And by that, I don't mean "I love the way she makes me feel. I love it when we have sex. I love what she does for me." Loving someone "as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her" is putting the other person's needs and best interests before your own. It's pulling off the highway without complaint because she needs a bathroom break. It's taking time off work to play nursemaid when she's sick. It's going without a new cell phone or other electronic gadget so she can have shoes that aren't falling apart.

- Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10). You've heard about a guy putting a gal on a pedestal...this is kinda like that. This is refraining from public sarcasm at her expense, no matter how funny it is. This is going to the chick flick. This is giving birthday and Valentines and Christmas presents, even when she doesn't need anything. This is letting other people know that you love her. (FYI: When somebody else tells her "it's so obvious that he loves you," you'll be glad you did this.)

- Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30). You might be thinking, "What does this have to do with being a good husband?" My answer...there are few things in this world that will foster within your wife such a deep sense of security and safety as when she knows that her husband is a man of conviction and integrity who has his priorities absolutely straight.

- Be considerate as you live with your wife, and treat her with respect...so that nothing will hinder your prayers (I Peter 3:7). You see? There is a connection between your relationship with your wife and your relationship with God. How you treat your mate has a direct influence on how God listens to your prayers. 

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Truth is...We should continue to date our wives, treating them the way we did when we were trying to win them. This will convince them that you still consider her a prize...and it might fool her into thinking you're one, too.