Front Parking Spot - Wife Wisdom
Goat Lake Hike, Idaho
This weekend, Dads are celebrated around the world. Obviously, I am not a Dad, but a wife who is married to a wonderful Dad of our three daughters. Over 30 years of marriage, I have learned many things about marriage relationships. I have created a list of 6 key elements for women to remember and implement in their own relationships with the Daddy of their own children.
1. Women have a tendency to nag. Don’t nag, it’s extremely annoying. Before making a request or a statement be sure you have your husband’s full attention and then bring up the discussion point you want to share. Otherwise, you are just talking to yourself, without him listening, and you will become frustrated.
2. All men need respect. Be careful of the words you say. Avoid sentence starters like “You never,” or “Why do you always?” Starting a conversation this way will not end up being productive. Focus more on starting with, “I feel…”
3. Be careful what you say about your husband in a room full of women. Being a teacher, I am around women all the time. It is very alarming to hear a woman “husband bash.” Please refrain from ever doing this. No one knows what to say to a woman who is bashing and it diminishes your husband’s value. Remember your vow “to love and to cherish.”
4. No one ever wants to be around a “Debbie Downer.” Avoid becoming one. We have all been with people who have nothing uplifting or encouraging to say. Try not to be that constant complainer to your husband. Those types of conversations and attitudes get old quickly and leave no one with any warm and fuzzy feelings.
5. Be sure to take care of yourself. It has been widely acclaimed that, “If Mama isn’t happy, nobody’s happy!” As cliché as this is, when you have some time with God, exercise, put makeup on, or clean up, you feel better about yourself and those around you can sense the difference. Take the time to do this and see how it changes your frame of mind. You will be infinitely more pleasant around others and you will feel better about yourself too.
6. Pray for your husband. The number one thing you can do daily for the man you married is to pray for him. Many years ago, a good friend taught me a scripture I say often. It is Luke 2:52. Pray that your husband will increase in “wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” This is a very powerful scripture to claim over him. Why not pray and believe it? This is what the “Front Parking Spot” mentality and living to God’s full potential in your life, is all about, so go for it!
Also be sure to get a copy of Wild at Heart!