Practical Ways To Show Love To Your Husband

Is there any greater need in the human heart than to feel loved? Yet we often resist the demonstrations, the words and the responses that reveal to the one we love just how deeply we care.

As we continue studying A Woman after God’s Own Heart by Elisabeth George, we’re going to get details about how we can demonstrate our love on a daily basis. 

We started this lesson last week with talking about praying for him daily. The second admonition was to plan for him daily.

Preparing daily for your husband is another important way we demonstrate our love. Before we were married, my husband would come and visit me, and I prepared in detail. My outfit, the meal, my home all got special attention! After marriage, how can a married  woman prepare for her husband each day? 

1. Prepare the house. When you know your husband is coming home, just look around, especially the living areas that he will be walking into or spending any time. Quickly pick up any clutter or mess. Make an attempt to make it a pleasant environment – light a candle, set the table with flowers. Let all of his senses be engaged when he walks into your home. He may smell something delicious being prepared as well. All of these things tell him that you are happy he’s home and you got things ready for him!
2. Preparing our appearance is another way to prepare for our husband. Elizabeth reminds us that if we knew we were having company we would certainly freshen up. Since our husband is our number one priority, why would we not make sure that our hair is combed? We put on a little fresh lipstick, have on something nice – at least nicer than what he left us in the morning. You can also prepare your children. Are we all supposed to come down in our Sunday attire for dinner? Of course not, but it’s at least having clean faces clean hands and combed hair.   Elizabeth reminds us that we are the welcome home committee! That gives a fresh perspective about how we would want to look for him!
3. Prepare our greeting. If we have a general idea when he’s going to come home, watch for him and wait for him. If it’s dark, turn on the outdoor lights. Get your children excited about the fact that their daddy is coming home so they can be at the door to greet him as well. It is also wise to think about what you’re going to say. We need to also think about what we shouldn’t say. This is not the best time to tell him about the day’s troubles or ask him why he’s late. (This is a good time to apply the HALT principle!)
4. Prepare the table. Having dinner as close to being ready as possible begins with setting the table. It reminds everyone that the meal is going to be prepared and ready to eat very soon!
5. Protect your time with your husband. It’s easy to think or just assume that he will watch the children so we can go and do what we need to do in the evening or on Saturday. But we shouldn’t think of him as a built-in babysitter. Try to get things done while he’s away so you can relish the time you have together. Elizabeth said that her general principle is that when her husband is at home she tries to be home. That might mean saying no to an event that other ladies are going to so that you can make him your priority. It doesn’t mean you can’t have time away from him, but as a regular routine, treasure your time together.
6. Physically love our husband. I Corinthians 7:3-5 says, But the husband render unto the wife due benevolence, and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife has not power of her own body, but the husband, and likewise also the husband has not power of his own body, but the wife.Defraud not one another, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourself to fasting and prayer, and come together again that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. God’s view of physical love in marriage is completely opposite of the world’s view. It’s a beautiful gift, and you and I need to be sensitive to his needs and love him enough to deny ourselves.
7. Positively respond to your husband. Do you remember that we talked about the word that we should have ready on our lips when he makes a suggestion? It should be a positive word. Mine is, “Sure!” We need to have a positive response when he has an idea. Our immediate, gracious answer should create a non-threatening atmosphere for communication. Sometimes we may need to just ask questions but without a derogatory attitude. “Do you need me to do that with you right now, or can I finish this task I”m working on?” You’re being respectful, showing preference to him, but also communicating.
8. Praising him. We should never ever speak in a critical or negative tone about our husband to anyone. On the other hand, we should praise him to other people, and also to his face. If you are having marriage struggles, this doesn’t mean you can’t go talk to a trusted counselor. You need to. You should get help. This is making reference to tearing your husband down in every day conversation.
9. Pray always. The first suggestion of this chapter was to pray for him daily. Starting and ending with prayer is always the best way to love him the most.Why not pray at these times…
   Before you speak in the morning,
   anytime he is home,
   before he returns home,
   throughout the evening,
   when getting ready to answer his call, and
   when you are arriving home and he is already there.
   Sounds like all the time, doesn’t it? We need to always be praying for our husbands. They need it, and we need it to be able to love him like the Lord wants us to.
   
   Praying is also a good way to end this post on loving our husband. How about stopping right now just to pray and ask the Lord to show you how you can show your husband how much you love him? Then obey.