Dropping in for a rare post...
I want to share a little about why I think Tanya (Sparks19) and I have such a fantastic relationship. Now, I am going to use a Bible verse as my backdrop, but please feel free to replace God with the flying spaghetti monster, primordal ooze or where ever you think we come from.
Ephesians 5:33 "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
At first glance this probably makes many of the ladies here furious, but please hear me out. Man and woman are programmed different, we have different needs. Neither one is better than the other, just different. God commands men to love (the actual greek uses the word agape, which is like godly love, not romantic love) their wives. Why? Because that does not come naturally to most men. We tend to want to provide, fix, and protect... Then be respected for it,
regardless of our results. Conversely, women are commanded to respect their husbands because that does not come naturally. This respect should come,
regardless of results.
Why regardless of results? Because we are human and we ALL fail. But good natured people will work to make a relationship better. So, the next time you get in a conflict with your significant other, try this...
Men to women.... "I am sorry dear, did I just say something in a way that came across as unloving?"
Women to men.... "I am sorry dear, did I just say something in a way that came across as disrespectful?"
I bet that if the two people are good willed and care for each other, this will help mend fences.
Men, love your wife, ANYWAY.
Women, respect your husband, ANYWAY.
A good willed couple can be healed this way. I do not rule my wife and she does not rule me. I love her, warts and all. She respects me, warts and all. (And I have a LOT of warts, many more than her.)