This is important.

Yesterday was my wife’s birthday and we had a great time with the family. Overall, she had a pretty enjoyable day doing some of the things she loves. And yet, as I think about how I acted yesterday, I feel convicted.

It’s not that I acted poorly or even harshly toward her in any way. Quite the opposite actually. Yesterday, I woke knowing that it was her day. I tried my best to serve her. And be kind to her in every way that came to mind. That’s what hit me this morning.

Why not every day?

In Colossians 3, Paul writes,

“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.“

Paul expands on this thought further in Ephesians chapter 5,

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” (Col. 3:19-28)

We excel on special days!

For those of us who are husbands, this is not very difficult to do on our wives’ birthdays. It’s not that difficult on our anniversary. It’s not that difficult when our wife’s safety or well-being is at risk in some way.

What about on a regular day, with the stresses of life, when the football game is about to start, and we’re about as self-righteous, and self-serving as anyone could be? At that point, for some reason, it’s difficult to love our wives.

At that point, our desire to be kind and serve them is nonexistent. We often don’t even realize she’s still in the room with us.

It’s sad, and I believe it makes God sad.

Today, for us husbands who aren’t celebrating our wife’s birthdays or anniversaries, may we love our brides as Christ loves His bride (the Church).

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts:

• Today, how will you love your spouse?
• In what ways could you make loving your spouse an everyday occurrence?