There is an old story where a chief executive officer and his wife are travelling, and they stop to get petrol. The CEO goes inside, and when he comes out, he notices his wife talking to the petrol station attendant. He asks her why; it turns out that she knew the attendant and used to date him. Feeling smug, he says, ‘I’ll bet you’re thinking you’re glad you married me, a CEO, and not a service station attendant.’ She said, ‘No, I’m thinking if I’d married him, he would be a CEO and you would be a petrol station attendant.’ Before God created Eve and brought her to Adam, He said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him’ (Genesis 2:18 NLT). Stop and think about the many ways in which your wife complements, completes, helps, and is just right for you. You say, ‘My wife already knows that I love her.’ Perhaps, but she loves to hear you say it, and you could never say it too often. Say it with flowers from time to time. Pay attention to the little things she does to make your life better and compliment her. When she talks, give her 100 per cent of your attention, and let her know that her thoughts and feelings matter to you. Have a weekly date. As the years add wrinkles and extra pounds, treasure her and the life you have built together. Paul sets the standard for husbands, and it’s a high standard: ‘Husbands…love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her’ (Ephesians 5:25 NLT).
