THE HOME MAKER (2)
Dear Reader,
In the last edition, we discussed on how being a home maker requires hard work, diligence and dedication. We also looked at hospitality as an aspect of great homemaking. In this edition, we will be dwelling more on a woman’s contributions to the general well-being of her husband.
God has designed the woman to help her husband become all that God intends for him to be. Your husband’s union with you, is meant to bring advancement, increase and promotion, not just to him, but you also. Your union is designed to make both of you complete. No matter the wonderful experiences he might have had when he was a bachelor, the Bible says:Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
The kind of help God intends the woman to provide is one that is suitable, adaptable and complementary. This is because marriage gives you access to double as a couple in agreement can put ten thousand to flight.
But in what areas is the woman required to help her spouse?
- Spiritually:
While it is the husband’s role to lead and guide his family, especially when it comes to spiritual matters, and the wife’s role is to lovingly submit to her husband’s leading, they can mutually encourage each other in this walk! As a loving wife, we should want to see your husband grow in the Lord. You ought to rejoice when he draws closer to God. If his spiritual life is not up to your expectation, you can help him attain spiritual growth.
God intends for you to be a positive influence on his spiritual life, so both of you can press on to greater height. A woman who does not care about the spiritual state of her husband is not helping him. In fact, his relationship with God determines how he would treat you as his spouse.
The Bible says: Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17).
So, as you strive to grow in the things of God, make sure that your spouse grows along with you. You can do this by praying for him, sharing insight you got from the Word with him and requiring pleasantly for him to do same. That way, two will be indeed better than one because you are both walking towards the same spiritual goal.
2. Socially:
God expects couples to also help one another socially. Your husband might not be socially inclined to some etiquettes, you are in the best place to teach him without being irritated or proud. You can teach him how to combine colours, basic dress sense for different occasions, how to relate with people and other social manners. Don’t wait for other to laugh at him, or even join them before you realise your role in his life.
The truth is, if he is embarrassed by these things, you share in the shame. So, it is your responsibility to educate your spouse in love, especially in areas where he is lagging behind.
- Financially:
God expects the wife to be financially transparent to her husband, even as she renders financial support to him. Some women already believe that the man alone should be financially responsible for the home. They even quote scriptures to buttress their point. They fail to realise that the Bible said of the Proverbs 31 woman, She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night (Proverbs 31:16-18).
This woman the Bible refers to as virtuous contributed a great deal to the financial stability of her home. You do not need to hide your money to satisfy your personal needs. Remember that whatever money you have belongs to your spouse as well.
In the same vain, do not be a financial burden to you spouse. Even when he earns more than enough to meet the needs of the home, it is your responsibility to help him properly manage the resources God has given to you.
- Mentally:
Marriage is meant to improve you mentally. The Bible says two are better than one because they would be able to make well informed decisions, thereby gaining more grounds.
You must learn to go out of your way to feed your husband mentally. Get him spiritual books/materials that can help sharpen his mind. Do not disturb his study time with unnecessary domestic affairs. Share great ideas with him, as you render help in his day-to-day affairs.
- Physically:
Wife, there might be times when your husband will need your feminine nature to help get things done. Don’t claim to be very busy in the kitchen or with the children, be available. Satisfy his physical needs by taking charge of his needs for good food, rest, physical appearance, sex, etc.
The truth is: To be a helper, achieving God’s divine plan for your life and marriage, you need to have a genuine relationship with God. This means, you need to be born again; accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour of your life. If, peradventure, you are not born again and you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, then say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.
Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored)