BACK TO BASICS - 2

I read a story about a successful businessman who recalled his childhood.  He was never picked to be on the softball team. He was small and couldn't play well at all. His story of success has an odd twist. He didn't become a great player.  No, his lesson was "You cannot force someone to 'play ball' with you if they don't want to be on a team with you."  He learned to focus his business energy on people who wanted to be teamed up with him, rather than trying to convince people to do so. His business ventures have been very successful.  

So, let's get right to my point...  Marriage is the ultimate team sport.  You cannot become one with a person whose goal is not to become one with you

Some of you reading this have husbands who are not the kind of spouse God expects them to be.  
You might have a husband who does well financially, who is a leader in the community, who has succeeded in the areas the world and society considers successful... but God's definition of a husband's success is that he loves God with all his heart, mind and soul.  When someone loves God, their heart becomes fixed on obeying God. His main focus is God and God's will.  That he cleaves to his wife.  That his primary purpose is to become one with her.  In every way.  To care for her needs above his own, to love her the way Jesus loves the Church. 

If you husband is far from that standard, don't think it's a secret.  He knows it. And so do you.

But.. lest you think Mrs. Older is having a husband-bashing moment.. let me clarify:  

The problem is not your husband

 the problem is that

 you accept this less-than-what-God-intended partnership.  

Why have you accepted it?
Why?
Why are you allowing this in the life of the man you love?

DON'T JUST SIT BACK AND TAKE IT

WHAT?

You might say, "Mrs. Older I cannot change him.  I cannot 

scold him in to being what God expects."

THAT IS TRUE

BUT. GOD. CAN.

Pray.

Pray.

Pray. 

If you LOVE YOUR HUSBAND... YOU WANT HIM TO BE ALL THAT GOD INTENDS.

This scripture:

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

 

is reason enough to not accept less than the best from your husband... because this verse clearly says that a husband needs to be considerate and respectful of his wife. Why?  So that she can be Queen Bee of the Home?  

Well... no.. so that nothing hinders HIS prayers.

What wife wants her husband's prayer to be hindered?

What man understands that there is a connection between his prayers and the way he treats his wife?

Here's advice from Mrs. Older that applies:

TALK TO GOD ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND 

AND 

GOD WILL TALK TO YOUR HUSBAND ABOUT YOU.

Ask for the faith to believe that if you pray for your husband's heart, God will change and resurrect it.  Don't pray angry prayers. Pray with a heart of love for your husband.  Pray that God will give him the desire to be the husband God expects..

First step is admitting that you have been an accomplice to his laziness by not praying about it.

Keep your mouth silent.

Except when you are speaking to God.

If you live with an impossible man...remember that with God all things are possible.

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'"

Matthew 10:27 

XO,

Mrs. Older