You Have Two Feet, Get It Yourself!

So we've all heard the list of priorities we should have - God first, your husband second, your children third, your home fourth and your ministry last.

But how can we practically put our husband above the needs of our children, home, and ministry?

Consider this scenario - a woman invites over a couple families for dinner. She has been cooking and cleaning all day and by the time the guests arrive she is nearly exhausted but she has a second wind from all the excitement.

She wants to be a good hostess so as people take a seat in the living room she begins to offer drinks. She gets some drinks for the children. She pours some drinks for her friends and as she serves it to them her husband says "Honey, can I have an ice tea?" She thinks WHAT? I'm slaving here in the kitchen, you sit there on the couch visiting and you have the audacity to ask me for a drink? So there in front of everyone she answers "you have two feet, get one yourself." Everyone laughs including her husband (he's so embarrassed what choice does he have) he gets himself a drink, helps her in the kitchen because he realizes she's a bit stressed, and the night goes on. She thinks - I was right and plus it worked - he got the point and started helping a bit!

What happened there? Who came first in this scenario? the children , the friends and the man she makes love to - dead last. Worse, she humiliated him when it would have only taken 15 seconds more to pour him a drink.

If she truly needed help, what could she have done? She could have said "sure, but could you come with me into the kitchen a second?" Once they were alone in the kitchen she could privately say, "I need help - I'm a little overwhelmed."

Opportunities to make our husband a priority present themselves everyday. Here's some practical ways I practice this in my own life:

1. When I am going to the store, I ask him if there's anything he needs while I am there.

2. When I make the grocery list I consider what his favorites are (not just the children's)and be sure to make them.

3. When I bake a dessert or dish to take to a gathering with only women, he gets the first serving. So if you see a hole cut out of a cake I bring - you'll know why!

4. At gatherings, I always get his drink for him. At home I offer him drinks regularly too. It's a guesture I enjoy extending to him to show my love.

5. I respect his thoughts and opinions above anyone else's.

In Proverbs 31:28 we see the husband of the Proverbs 31 woman rising up and praising his wife. Does your husband rise up and praise you? Could it be that he does not because he doesn't feel like he is your first priority?

We should not serve our husband to receive praise but rather to please God. God created you and your husband to be one flesh (Matt. 19:5). Your relationship should be a priority above all others! We should question ourselves - do we seek praise more from our friends and co-workers or from our husband? Your husband's opinion should matter most - don't give your husband your leftovers - give him the best of you! And consider delivering him a drink with a kiss tonight!

Walk with the King!

I am participating in Marriage Mondays over at Come Have a Peace.