Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

RESPECT A saintly woman was well-known for her good word about everyone. Although people often tried, they were never able to get her to speak evil of anyone. One day while she was talking with a friend, the town drunk staggered by. The friend thought there was surely nothing redeeming about this old reprobate and took the opportunity to quiz her godly friend: "What have you got to say about him?" The saintly woman simply replied, "Well, he is a good whistler." It is a rare person who can see the best in everyone. But the Bible tells us that this is the norm for a healthy marriage. For example, the wife is commanded: Let the wife see that she respects her husband (Ephesians 5:33). The husband, of course, should earn this reverence and respect. Some husbands make the commandments of Christ hard to fulfill; however, there is no "if" included in this verse of Scripture. When the wife learns to see the good, however little, in her mate, respect can grow. Men may be motivated by criticism, but they often become bitter and angry toward a nagging wife. On the other hand, men motivated by respect and love become loving husbands. The wise woman gives her husband respect and, in doing so, learns that this law of love diminishes the cares and toils of daily life.