February is highlighted by Valentine’s Day and remembrances for those in our love whom we love. I appreciate Valentine’s Day and the warm thoughts and fun expressions it invites us to give and receive. Celebrating my family and friends and lavishing love on them is one of my heart’s passions.
But I’ll be honest. Sometimes I think the boys and men in our lives are not remembered meaningfully on Valentine’s Day. Yes, they want to know they are loved. But really, they want to know they are respected.
Women need love.
Men need respect.
It’s as simple and as
complicated as that.
— Emerson Eggerichs
The live Love and Respect Conference with Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs is coming to our church on Friday evening March 2nd and Saturday morning/early afternoon March 3rd. This conference is heart- and life-changing for married couples (whether they deem their marriage healthy, troubled, or anywhere in between), engaged couples and singles. Click here for testimonials.
With scripture as his basis, Emerson demonstrates that love and respect are the two essential ingredients for a successful marriage. Click here for an overview.
Love is a beautiful and obvious foundation for any relationship. But showing a man (of any age) respect is often lost in our culture. Even a glimpse through God’s Word proves that our expression of unconditional respect for our husband is paramount and consequential.
As love is to a woman’s heart, so is respect to a man’s soul.
This month of February, I am going to daily be intentional to speak or write words of respect and honor to the men in my life.
To daily tell my husband I respect him and to show him that respect through my actions.
To thank my husband for how he works and provides for our family.
To tell him I respect how he is honorable in his relationships and how he handles situations.
To tell our son, Joshua, that I respect him and appreciate so much who he is and who God is making him to be.
To tell my brothers how proud I am of them for so many reasons.
To thank my father-in-law for his dedication to his family and for raising a fine son.
Honoring the men God has placed in my life. While these thoughts are always in my heart of gratitude, I want to be intentional about telling them. Whether I write it down for them or tell them in person or over the phone, each day I am making it a priority to express my respect and to honor them.
Will you join me in this daily expression of respect and honor to the boys and men in your life this month of February? There are only a few rules.
1.) Honor does not embarrass. If you honor a man in your life publicly, be sure it won’t embarrass him.
2.) Do not honor another woman’s husband, unless it is your brother, father, father-in-law, relative, or unless you have received permission from her to do so.
Whether you are single, engaged or married (even if you are in a struggling marriage), you can express your sincere respect and honor for the men and boys in your life. I hope you’ll join me this month.
Special Invitation ~ Do you live in the Philadelphia area (or within driving distance) and would like to attend the Love and Respect Conference on March 2nd and 3rd but your current resources would restrict you from coming? By God’s grace and for His glory, Jim and I would like give away one registration for a couple to attend! Email us at histablefortwo@live.com and let us know of your interest and why you would like to attend. If you are selected, we will contact you on Valentine’s Day.
…all the women will respect their husbands,
from the least to the greatest.
Esther 1:20
Her husband is respected at the city gate…
Proverbs 31:23
…the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:33
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands,
so that even if some do not obey the word,
they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
1 Peter3:1-2
Great reminder.