Sharing my Heart -- For Ladies Only

Hello, Ladies. I just wanted to take the time to share something with you. Yesterday as I was reading Exodus 32 I saw something I had never seen before. (By the way this is Keith's favourite story -- He loves the part when Aaron says, "But, Moses, all I did was put the gold in the fire. This calf just jumped out. Honestly!" Paraphrased of course) Anyhow, I noticed something about this story. Who was held responsible for the state of the people? Yep, the men. This got me to thinking about the responsibility of our men.

My Man!

When is the last time you really thought about the burden of responsibility your father, husband, son, or pastor carries? The Lord convicted me of this last night. How many times do we wish we could change them? How often do we take them for granted and wish our husbands would give us more attention? After all, we are the "weaker vessels" aren't we? (1 Peter 3:7) No. Actually if you look more closely at that verse it says, "as unto the weaker vessel." God made us to be his help meet. Woman was created to complete man NOT the other way around.

I'll have only been married six years come April 2, so most of you could say this much better than I can. But when I stopped to really think about what my husband has to carry I was filled with gratitude and awe for him. He will answer to God for how our family is led. He is our protector, our provider, our spiritual leader, a role model to our son and an example of what kind of man our daughters will want some day. He has to seek the Holy Spirit's leading and follow it. All I have to do is follow him.

Yes, we do have the responsibility to submit, but isn't it easier knowing that we don't have to answer for the results? We have to train our children, but we do this under the guidance of our husbands. We have decisions to make, but we have someone to go to for counsel.

Maybe, you don't have a godly husband. Your husband has an even greater load to bear, because he is attempting to do it alone. The Bible does have something to say to you 1 Peter 3:1-6. If your father is alive and a born-again believer you could go to him. If you attend a Bible believing church you can seek the wisdom of your pastor through your pastor's wife.

(Note: As the daughter of a pastor and the wife of a missionary, it is my opinion that a woman should never go directly to her pastor alone. It puts him in an awkward position. If he has a wife you could meet with them both, if not, then find a godly woman in your church and ask if she can go with you. Also, God will place Titus 2 women in our path if we ask Him.)

Back to what I was saying. I would like to encourage each of you to thank God for your father, your husband, your son, and your pastor (who holds a double burden of responsibility.) Pray for them daily. I'm still fairly new at being a wife, but I have (or should I say am learning) this one thing: The Holy Spirit can do a better job than I can. I found this list of things to pray for in Colossians 1. I pray that:

1. He will have a clear knowledge of God's will vs.9
2. He will walk worthy of the Lord vs. 10
3. He will be fruitful in all good works vs. 10
4. He will increase in the knowledge of God vs. 10
5. He will be strengthened in the might of the Lord vs. 11
6. He will be patient and long-suffering vs. 11
7. He will have joy vs. 11
8. He will have a thankful heart vs. 12

This passage can be applied to any saint, but I would challenge you to join me in praying for the men in your life (Father, Husband, Son, Pastor...) each day. We as women are famous for trying to change our men. I've found that as I pray for my husband in these areas, most often it is me that needs changing, not him. Love him. Pray for him. Submit to him. Encourage him. Find a way to tell him.

The best advice I ever received was before I even met my husband. I was told that when you find yourself grumbling about all the things your husband does wrong, stop and think of ten things you love about him, then thank God for him. I hope this has been an encouragement to someone. God bless. -- Julie