Friday, March 20, 2009

Day 15- Love is honorable

Live with your wives in an understanding way . . . and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life. —1 Peter 3:7

Today we are faced with honoring our spouse. Honor is one of those words that never loses it's timeless quality, class, and dignity. To honor someone means to give them respect and high esteem, to treat them as being special and of great worth. You are courteous and polite. You accommodate their wishes if at all possible simply out of respect for who they are.

The book goes on to talk about another word within the scope of honor....holy. We don't often associate holiness as marital trait, but it is essential. To say your mate is holy doesn't mean they are perfect. Holiness means they are set apart for a higher purpose- no longer common or everyday. A person who has become holy to you has a place no one can rival in your heart. This person is to be honored, praised and defended.

From the book:

"When two people marry, each spouse becomes 'holy' to each other by way of 'holy matrimony'. This means no other person in the whole world is supposed to enjoy this level of commitment and endearment from you. Your relationship is like no other. You share physical intimacy with only her, only him. You establish a home together. You bear your children with this person. Your heart, possessions, your life itself is to be wrapped up in the uncommon bond you share with this one person"

Wow, that's pretty deep stuff! When you think of it that way, it's like a special thing just for you that no one in the world can have. Like a treasure God has entrusted to you. Isn't that exciting? I think it's awesome! But what if you don't feel that you are honored by your spouse? The Bible calls us to honor the same regardless. Love dares to say- "Of all the relationships I have, I will value ours the most. Of all things I'm willing to sacrifice, I will sacrifice the most for you. With all your failures, sins, mistakes, and faults-past and present- I still choose to love and honor you". In this atmosphere, love can't help but be rekindled...you are leading your heart to love.


TODAY’S DARE
Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine. It may be holding the door for her. It might be putting his clothes away for him. It may be the way you listen and speak in your communication. Show your mate that he or she is highly esteemed in your eyes.


-For my dare yesterday I realized that B needed some alone time in the house to practice. He is an amazing harpsichordist, yet never actually gets to play very much. If the girls are around they want to be in the room with him so they stand at the gate and cry or try to climb in. At night when they are asleep it is too loud for him to play. I had a chiropractic appt, but took both girls with me, then we went and had a healthy snack at Papa's house, then to the gym. I was exhausted after the 4 hours, but it probably made his day. I was honoring his deep need for a quiet house to himself.

1 comment:

Mary Beth said...

As another introvert, I know how precious that alone time was to Brad. Yay for you!!