Recently I was asked to write 25 random things about myself. I’m sure it was no surprise to those that know me very well at all that I included in that description that I am an avid list maker. When I was a young girl, around ten years-old, my parents let my sister and me host a party. I remember having a clipboard and writing down all the details for the evening’s events. Ever since then, when I have a task before me, the first thing I do is make a list of all the things to accomplish.
As an adult I’ve had a variety of planner books, but my favorite kind is where I can prioritize my week and day all on one page. At the beginning of the week I write in appointments and things I know are happening. Each morning I write (in their order of importance) the things I hope to accomplish that day. Things don’t always get done, however, because of one word I used earlier – priorities. Often my husband will need my help with something, and I need to lay aside what I was going to do and be his helper. A woman looking for “her rights” might scream out, “That’s not fair! Your schedule is important too!” My husband would surely agree with that, and is really very considerate when he knows I have things to do, but my heart wants to keep him my priority. The Lord is first, then Dale, then my girls, then ministry.
I get selfish sometimes and have to be reminded by the Holy Spirit’s sweet tug in my heart to make my marriage and my husband on the top of my list. Reading good books is one way I keep my heart turned towards God’s desires for my schedule. One such book is A Woman After God’s Own Heart, by Elizabeth George. I’m reminded that I was created to be my husband’s helpmeet, one suitable for him. Elizabeth says to keep the words, “Sure!” on the tip of your tongue when your husband comes and asks if I’d like to do something. It might be as simple as riding with him to town while he runs an errand. “Sure!” When our girls were young he would sometimes suggest taking me to dinner when in the back of my mind I’d think about how the girls would cry when we’d leave them with a babysitter. “Sure!” needed to be said anyway.
We have gone away for a week at a time when the girls were young. I can remember writing notes for the girls to read each day as they stayed with their grandparents in our absence. Were there tears upon leaving? From us both – yes! But everyone was fine and my husband was made my priority, not my girls. They were never neglected, never had their needs overlooked, but there were times when they needed to see that their daddy was my priority.
Now that one daughter is gone from home and the other is headed for college, I can see how wise God is in reminding wives that we need to keep on being our husband’s helper. If you maintain that relationship as your children are growing up, you won’t dread them leaving you alone with “what’s his name.” You’ll anticipate the time you can share with the man that stole your heart away and keeps doing just that all through your married years!
What can you do today to make your husband your priority? Have you read A Woman After God’s Own Heart? Even if you have and it’s been a while, read it again!
RefreshHer 