PLENTY of these types of articles have been written, and
probably more than a dozen by me, but the world should know something about
what my wife is teaching me about being a Christian, a father, a man, a person.
She is gentle, even when she’s cross. In this she teaches me that while I’m not
above correction, I’m also not under her thumb.
Such fairness cannot be taken for granted. Such poise is the grace that I want to extend
out to others. She makes me want to be
gentle when I’m feeling angry.
She is pleasant, even when her inner world is fragile. In not closing me out of her world I’m
learning to appreciate that I’m welcome in her space without feeling like I own
her space. Her space is hers. When I don’t force myself in, she doesn’t hold
me out.
She talks with me, and she lets me talk. Being more introverted than I am, my wife is
ready to listen, and she can absorb so much.
Not that this is license to abuse such privilege. Her wisdom comes out at the appropriate
times, having listened, and it never ceases to amaze me the wisdom uttered from
her lips, and from such comparatively few words. Her speaking with me teaches me
patience. Am I interested enough to
wait? What a great way to learn how to
love! Waiting always accompanies wisdom.
She interacts with people in a quiet, unforced, assured way, and
there’s no pretentiousness in her. I
watch and learn. And grow in
appreciation of her unambitious steadiness.
She even teaches me something about life when I miss her. I know that when I arrive home, no matter how
her day’s been, I’ll be greeted with love.
In this she teaches me grace.
Even if I’m tempted to walk in tentatively, she gives me license to walk
in boldly, in the confidence of loving intimacy.
These are just some of the things I’m learning about love through
loving my wife.
***
When we’re especially fortunate, God uses our spouse to usher the
glories of His truth into us through the vestment of His love.
© 2016 Steve Wickham.
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