Pride.
That word has a couple of definitions. Let's look at each.
When you woke up today, did you think, "I am my husband's pride!" Nope, I didn't either. But we are. Us, the children, the home itself. We are all part of our husband's pride. Whether or not he can be proud of his pride is a different story.
Oh, there we mentioned the other part of the definition of pride. Being proud. Men like to be proud. They really do. Actually, sometimes a bit too proud. Women can struggle a bit with pride, but I think men have the bigger struggle here. Fish stories and little league games come to mind. Let's look at what Proverbs 21 says about pride:
Verse 4: Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
Verse 24: “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
Bear in mind, we are not here to 'husband bash'. Quite the opposite. You know your husband better than anyone with the exception of Christ. You know his struggles. As his wife, he appreciates your prayers on his behalf. In fact, I think it is the best gift you can give your husband. Later this week we will discuss other ways that we can pray for our husbands, but today when you bow your head to pray, remember Pride in these two ways:
1) that YOU and YOUR HOME, as his pride is something that he can be proud of. Oh, and pleasing man is not important. We want your husband to feel proud of you when he closes his eyes and meets privately in prayer with his Savior. Just please your husband today.
2) for your husband's prideful nature. It really is a 'man thing'.(Yes, we women can struggle with it too. I am not pointing fingers.) Pray that he will remain humble in all situations. And the key to this prayer--that you will remain humble when praying for your husband's humility.
Today's do for your husband item: Spruce up! You, the house, the dinner table. Make his eyes light up with Pride as he walks through that door!
My husband is not a very prideful person. I think I may have mentioned he is the most contented person I've ever known. But, I do believe he feels embarrassed from time to time, and I want to make sure that neither I, nor my actions are the reason. I do try to keep the house nice, and I never go out with him looking like I just got out of bed. LOL! Once when I was feeling really bad, I behaved badly in public, and he was very embarrassed. I've never forgotten how guilty I felt about it and I've tried very hard to never behave that way again, no matter what was going on. I always want him to be proud of me.
ReplyDeleteThese are such wonderful posts Tonya! Thank you for being a willing messenger for God, telling us what we need to hear!
Wonderful post, Tonya. I appreciate your "take" on these verses....I know that God has sent these messages to us.
ReplyDeleteSometimes when I am at my quilting bee some of the women talk bad about their husbands and it really hurts to hear that from them.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has said many times how he is so happy to come home after work because I have made it a comfortable place. I try to keep a neat house, might not always be super clean but it is neat and picked up. No chaos!