Being Truly Loved

One thing I tell women all the time is how blessed I am to be Steve’s wife (although earlier in our marriage, I didn’t feel that way when things were quite rocky, but I digress). He makes me feel cherished. And I sure don’t want to take that for granted because sadly, I’m finding out more and more that not very many spouses can claim that their husband or wife makes them feel that way.

I had a rough start in life in my growing up years and I sure didn’t feel cherished, especially by men. So to be able to claim that my husband shows me in small and large ways, day in and day out that I am loved beyond comprehension, is a HUGE deal to me.

Something that Stormie Omartian once wrote really impressed me. I think of it often. She addressed husbands in the Crosswalk.com article, “Five Ways to Be the Husband God Wants You to Be”:

“Jack Hayford, our pastor for 23 years, always said he could tell when a woman was truly loved by her husband, because she grew more beautiful as the years went on. He recognized an inner beauty that doesn’t fade, but rather increases with time when a woman is loved.

“You have no idea how much your love means to your wife. Don’t withhold it from her, or one way or another you will lose her. The Bible says, ‘Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so’ (Proverbs 3:27). Ask God to increase your love for your wife and enable you to show it in a way that makes her beautiful.”

And the same can be said for women, in relation to husbands. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so” (Proverbs 3:27). The good —the love, which most men crave, is respect and the ability to see beyond what is seen to the potential you CAN see in them —the potential God sees in them. In doing so, in giving grace and love in this way, we are participating with God as HIS partner in working with our spouse in Kingdom work.

It’s like what David Ferguson wrote in his book, Never Alone:

“God is seeking a colleague —a dedicated partner and coworker —in the ministry of loving your spouse, and you are the colleague He wants.

“Furthermore, He is seeking a colleague to join Him in the ministry of loving you, and He wants your spouse to fill that role.”

I know enough at this point in life to realize that I’m not responsible for what my husband does. That’s between him and God (although my husband Steve does a WONDERFUL job of showing love to me daily). But even if he didn’t do what he should, I’m still responsible for what I’ve been called to do —to lead in love and join God in showing love to the man I vowed to love and respect. I do. And with God’s help, I will… I will show my husband love for the rest of our lives together.

I hope you can and will do the same for your husband or wife.

“Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

This blog is written by Cindy Wright of Marriage Missions International.

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