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“Why do you love your husband?”
That is a very interesting question and if I were to answer quickly I would list all the wonderful and amazing traits my husband has.
I would tell about his patience, support, encouragement.
I could tell you about how good a father he is. How much he loves our children and all the times he tells them he is proud of them.
I could tell you about his devotion to God and how good he is at searching for answers in the Bible. I would show you his artwork and how talented he is.
But is that really why I love my husband?
Those are all traits my husband has that I truly love. However, that is not why I love him.
If I said that was why I love him then I could come to a point of not loving him should he suddenly stop any of those things. No! “Why” is the wrong question.
That’s like asking, “Why do you love a newborn?”
Newborn babies do not show love. They spend those first few weeks crying, eating, and sleeping. They are not born giving their parents hugs but yet we still love them. Love is action. The more we love our children and give them the things they need the more our love grows.
The real question is not “Why do you love your husband?” but “How do you love your husband?”
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NKJV)
Love suffers long and is kind…
I love my husband by being patient and kind to him.
Kind? Yes. Kind as in “Here let me help you with that!”
Love does not envy…
My husband is very good at art. Much better than I am. I love him by not being upset when he is better than I am.
Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up…
Both my husband and I have strengths and weaknesses. In many cases his strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa. I love my husband by remaining humble and not declaring myself better than him just because I have strengths.
Love does not behave rudely…
I love my husband by being polite. I can’t just think that since we’re married all manners are no longer necessary. How would that look if I were rude to my husband and saved all my best manners for company? I must never take my husband for granted. I love him by being polite.
Love does not seek it’s own…
In other words, Love is not selfish. I love my husband by putting my own selfish ambitions aside and making sure I take care of him. That may mean putting aside my writing and being fully present. It may mean giving up something I want in order to get him something I know he would like.
This does not mean that I am walked over and allowing myself to be a doormat. It means I love my husband so much that my desire is for him to be happy. When he is happy I am happy. Even though some may argue with me, putting my husband first is not self-depreciating.
Love is not provoked…
I love my husband by not being easily angered. Whether it is something he says or does that tries to provoke those emotions or someone else that tries to provoke ill feelings for my husband. My love for him will not be easily provoked no matter how hard one tries.
Love thinks no evil…
I love my husband by not thinking evil thoughts about him. How can a person love someone that they think badly about. And the reverse how can someone hate a person they only think good thoughts about.
Love does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth…
I love my husband by not rejoicing when something bad happens to him. I won’t say, “I told you so!” nor “See I knew that would happen! You should have listened to me.” No! True love only rejoices when something good happens. When my husband is rewarded with a compliment for something he does right. I rejoice in the truth that he is the best! 😉
Love bears all things…
I love my husband even when the going gets tough. My love is strong and will bear the burden with him.
Love believes all things…
I love my husband by not doubting or second guessing him. I believe what he says and not question his integrity.
Love hopes all things…
I love my husband by knowing that the promises he has made to me, he will keep. Hope isn’t a wish. It’s knowing that something will be the way it is suppose to be.
Love endures all things…
No matter the circumstances, I love my husband by enduring whatever trial we must go through together.
Love never fails…
My love for my husband will stand the test of time. It will never fail.
Do you love your spouse? Feel free to tell me how you love your spouse in the comments.
I bet you can guess how I know that my husband loves me. Perhaps that will be my next blog post. 🙂
Fawn Weaver, the founder of the Happy Wives Club wrote a book about the best marriage secrets the world has to offer. You can check it out and grab a copy HERE.
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Stacie, I do believe this is my favorite of all your pieces now. It was truly beautiful
Christa Sterken recently posted…Welcome To The Journey SITSgirls!
Thank you, Christa! I am glad you like it. 🙂
Anastacia Maness recently posted…Not Why but How I Love My Husband
Christa, I agree with you!
Ah! Thank you, Katina! 🙂
Anastacia Maness recently posted…Not Why but How I Love My Husband
Beautiful
Thanks, Laura!
Anastacia Maness recently posted…Not Why but How I Love My Husband
I agree with what Christa said, this is epic. And you and your husband are such a cute couple. Now, for that advice column…..
Kathleen Caron recently posted…what can you leave behind?
Thank you, Kathleen! I’ll have to get busy with plans for that advice column. 🙂
Anastacia Maness recently posted…Not Why but How I Love My Husband
I’m going to spare many words: Great! I can work on some things, thanks for breaking down love for a spouse eloquently, and biblically. God bless you.
Thanks! I am glad I was able to encourage you.
Anastacia Maness recently posted…Not Why but How I Love My Husband
Loved this. You did a great job Anastacia. I’m sure it will be well received. You have clearly painted a picture of how we are to love our spouses.
Anne Peterson recently posted…How my Poetry Got Into Stores
That really means a lot to me, Anne. Thanks for the encouragement!
Anastacia Maness recently posted…Not Why but How I Love My Husband
I love it with all my heart, Anastacia! That is how I also love my Spyros…just never voiced it exectly that way! In my book essay about Love, I have included this quote. It show true love…. Agapi! God’s Love. So wonderful you are blessed with it!
Thank you, Katina! That’s exactly how God wants us to love. I’m glad you love your husband like that too. 🙂
Anastacia Maness recently posted…Not Why but How I Love My Husband
Hi!
I find this piece refreshing. It made me realize that yeah, it’s better to dwell in “the hows” than the “whys?” You inspired me to write something related to this. Thanks for sharing.
Faye recently posted…He Loves Me
Hi Faye! It’s nice to meet you. I’m glad you were encouraged and inspired to write your own story. I’ll go over there now and check it out. 🙂
Anastacia Maness recently posted…Not Why but How I Love My Husband
Wow! Great stuff, Anastacia. I love my wife by committing to (1) take personal responsibility for improving my marriage, (2) not keep score, and (3) put success at home above success at the office.
I mixed up my priorities for a long, long time. Finally got them straight. 🙂
a terrible husband… recently posted…I almost lost faith in marriage. But I now believe in it more than ever.
It’s good that you now have your priorities straight, Nick. Is it okay for me to use your name? Or are you going anonymous for a reason? 🙂
You will like a post I will adding here in a few days. It’s written but my husband and I will be doing a podcast to add to it in the next couple of days. We’ll be talking about the right way for a husband to love his wife.
Anastacia Maness recently posted…Not Why but How I Love My Husband
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