Girlfriends in God - Feb. 9, 2009

February 9, 2009 
AAA Club of Marriage 
Sharon Jaynes

In Celebration of Valentine’s Day, Sharon’s February devotions will focus on marriage.

Today’s Truth 
“And let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband-that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly (Ephesians 5:33 Amplified)

Friend To Friend 
Are you a member of the Triple A Club of Marriage?  You didn’t know there was such a thing?  While there is no official club for broken marriages, I do keep this one club in the back of my mind.  It stands for adoration, admiration, and appreciation.  Did you know that big tough man of yours longs to be admired?  He desires for someone to think he’s brave and brilliant, loving and logical, tough and tender, handsome and humorous, masculine and magical. That’s the stuff of your man’s dreams.   

What does it mean to adore your husband?  It means to love him with all your heart…and let him know about it. George Eliot once said, “I like not only to be loved, but to be told I am loved.”   Do you want to see your husband’s face light up like a full moon?  Tell him you are amazed that he knows how to ________ or that you are impressed by his _______, then sit back and watch him glow.

When the TV cameras pan the sidelines of a college football game, my heart always melts in a pool of butter when the young men wave and say those precious two words: “Hi Mom.”  It’s almost like they’re saying, “Look at me! Look at me!”  The truth is, men want to be admired by the woman of their dreams.  It starts out with mom, and then continues with the Missus.

Where does your husband go for adoration, admiration and appreciation?  He goes somewhere.  All men do.  Does he go to work in hopes of hearing “job well done”?  Does he go to the ball field in hopes of hearing “way to go man”?  Does he go back home to mother to hear “I’m so proud of you son?”  Does he work late hoping for a few compliments from the gals in the office? Does he feast on compliments from patients or clients? Does he hang out at the gym flexing and building his biceps?  Tell me, where does your man go to be admired?

Dr. Willard Harley says, “When a woman tells a man she thinks he’s wonderful, that inspires him to achieve more.  He sees himself as capable of handling new responsibilities and perfecting skills far above those of his present level.  That inspiration helps him prepare for the responsibilities of life.  Admiration not only motivates, it also rewards the husband’s existing achievements.  When she tells him that she appreciates him for what he has done, it gives him more satisfaction than he receives from his paycheck.  A woman needs to appreciate her husband for what he already is, not for what he could become, if he lived up to her standards.  For some men – those with fragile self-images – admiration also helps them believe in themselves.  Without it, these men seem inherently more defensive about their shortcomings….While criticism causes men to become defensive, admiration energizes and motivates them.  A man expects – and needs – his wife to be his most enthusiastic fan.  He draws confidence from her support and can usually achieve far more with her. ” [Dr. Willard Harley, His Needs Her Needs (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Fleming H. Revell, 1986) p151.]

You become the mirror in which your husband sees himself.  So if he’s looking sort of glum lately, maybe you need to renew your membership into the Triple A Club of marriage and try a little adoration, admiration and appreciation around your home. 

Let’s Pray 
Dear Lord, I pray that I will be my husband’s biggest fan.  Please help me to restrain my critical tongue.  Help me to see him as You see Him…a child of the King.  I do so love my husband; help me to make sure that he knows just how much.

In Jesus’ name, 
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn 
If you have been withholding admiring words from your husband, it may feel strange to begin.  First and foremost, be authentic – be real.  If you contrive admiring words, he will be able to tell.  Start with one compliment or word of appreciation.  It may be as simple as “thank you” and soon the admiration will begin to flow…hopefully both ways.  Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Place an “I love you sign in a public place.” (I put a sign out side of Steve’s office window to surprise him on Valentine’s Day.  The fact that all his patients saw it was an extra boost!)  
  • Write him a love letter.  
    • Write an acrostic of reasons you adore, admire, and appreciate him A-Z.  
      • Leave an “I love you” message on his voice mail.  
        • Write him a thank you note for something specific he did for you.

         

        More From The Girlfriends 
        Do you want to become the woman of your husband’s dreams? Would you like a little “wow” back in your relationship with the man you married?  Then let seven simple secrets from Sharon’s book, Becoming the Woman of His Dreams, transform your marriage.  With Biblical wisdom and responses from hundreds of men she surveyed you’ll get a glimpse into your husband’s deepest longings.