So how did you know he was the one?
Post by Lisa Jacobson
The one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? That’s what the girls were asking me. How did you know that dad was The Guy?
I felt I should have had an answer ready on the tip of my tongue. A thoughtful insight of some kind.
But mostly I just remember him walking into the dinner party with his confident stride. Wearing a thick, manly sweater, black Levi’s and western boots. Tall, dark, and handsome. With deep blue eyes.
But that doesn’t really explain anything.
I mean, no one simply falls in love with a pair of boots…do they?
No, it was more than that. Way more than that.
It was the way our eyes connected and how we got lost in conversation the moment we sat down together. The way we forgot that there were other people at the party. The way we talked about traveling in France, my experiences in West Africa, and how we both loved Chopin and the same Billy Joel song. We could have talked forever…
Except that our hostess called us to dinner abruptly reminding us that there were other people in the world. Or at least other people in the room. So I had to settle for staring at him from across the table.
Because by then I knew.
I was looking at the man I was going to marry. He was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with – talking, laughing, and loving together. My happily-ever-after. My very own Mr. Right.
But I had yet to learn that meeting the right guy is one thing – and loving him year after year is quite another. That marrying him would turn out to be both an amazing adventure and a significant challenge. A relationship like no other.
I would discover that finding your Mr. Right is not a one-way ticket to happiness, but only the beginning of a life-long journey of learning to love each other.
Maybe you’re on a similar journey—-you’re newly married, have been together for decades, or still waiting to meet the one God has for you. If so, then I’d like to share a few wonderful ways to love that man of yours.
Alright, more than a few . . . .
10 Wonderful Ways to Show Love to Your Husband
- Always choose love.
Above all things.
- Greet him with a loving smile.
Who wouldn’t love coming home to that every night? Even if you are tired too. Or have something else on your mind. Put that aside for just a while to make his day wonderful with your warm, loving smile. There are not many smiles out in the world these days, so let yours be one of the few and the best in his life.
- Let the little things go.
Don’t hang on to small annoyances. So many marriages have slowly deteriorated over the smallest, silliest things. He doesn’t take out the trash? He snores at night? He’s terrible about leaving the laundry on the floor? It’s not all that big of a deal. Just put it behind you and get on with loving him instead.
- Work through the big things.
Take the time to talk those through. Yes, it might mean some hard work and long hours, but it will be worth it. Don’t let the things that really matter go. It’s worth the effort to address it and deal with it. Otherwise, you’re left with a shallow and/or a hurting relationship. No way. Go deep.
- Don’t try to change him.
He’s a good man just as he is. He might have room to grow – but then again, so do you. Leave that work to the Holy Spirit. Don’t make it your job to transform him, but to simply love him.
- Pray for him.
Make it your daily ministry to lift him up before your Heavenly Father. He needs a praying wife. Ask God to protect him and to protect your marriage. Ask for blessing and for mercy. What better gift can a wife offer than her faithful prayers for her husband?
- Remember he’s not your girlfriend.
He won’t always understand or relate, so don’t have unreasonable expectations. Often we want him to “get” what it is that we are feeling or struggling with. But he isn’t “me” and never will be (thank goodness!). He is made differently with a different experience and different strengths and weaknesses. Don’t demand that he be something he can never be.
- But be sure he’s your best-friend.
Invest in your friendship. Find activities you both enjoy and spend time together. Do the kinds of things that friends do: talk, laugh, work, and play. Share your heart with him – talk about your hopes and dreams – and ask about his too.
- Decide in the beginning that you’re going to stick together until the very end.
You’re both in this relationship for the long haul. ‘Til death do you part. (Mark 10:8-9).
- Be a wise woman.
Your husband relies on your wisdom. He needs to know that he can count on you for good advice and keen insight. You can – and should – be a wonderful resource for him. (Prov. 31:26a).
So go ahead. Start taking these simple – but powerful – steps toward showing love for your man.
It’s a loving journey of a lifetime!
Blessings,
Lisa Jacobson, Club31Women
*This is an excerpt from the popular 100 Ways to Love Your Husband. In it, you’ll find 90 more inspirational ways to show love for him! Also available is the companion book, 100 Ways to Love Your Wife. Or take the 100 Day Love Challenge and get both books as a bundle! Find out more—> HERE
Download this printable & sign up for our marriage course (completely free)
