7 Ways to Grow Your Marriage: Husband EditionSample

Day 3: Use your gifts and time to serve your wife.

We talk a lot about the essential roles that God gave a husband and a wife, but what about the other things that we do as husbands and wives in our marriages? In 1 Peter 4:10, it says that we should use whatever gifts we’ve been given to serve others. The best place to start with that is in your home, and specifically, your marriage.

Nancy and I never sat down and said, “You do this and I will do that.” We just kind of let the whole process evolve. I mowed the lawn, and we both planted flowers. She liked to clean the house but hated to vacuum, so I could do that. We never defined our daily household roles as man and woman, but by who was best at it, and who wanted to do it, or did not want to do it!

This year, with deadlines for writing and the growth of Awesome Marriage, I have not run the vacuum in a while. It’s not like Nancy has been complaining (she hasn’t), but today I’m going to run the vacuum. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says two are better than one—and in marriage, I see it played out constantly. With the ever-changing seasons of life, I need Nancy to help pick me up, and there are times when I need to do that for her. Her giftings are some of the areas I’m the weakest; her talents and passions are spaces that encourage me to keep growing. In my busy season, she is often more available. When we use all of that to serve one another and bear one another’s burdens, our marriages are blessed and the Lord is honored!

What is something you could do today for your wife that would lighten her load? Today, your challenge is to take 1 Peter 4:10 seriously and use what you have to serve her.

Today’s One Thing Challenge: Ask yourself what is something you could do for your wife today that would lighten her load? Now that you know it, do it!