I Resolve to Improve My Wifely Ways

Kelly at Wisdom Begun has written a wonderful post for keeping the peace in your household! Please be sure to show her some bloggy love! ~Kelli

Tips to Keeping the Peace

There are five things that I often forget in my marriage. I wish I could remember them always because doing so would lead to much improved marital bliss. Don’t get me wrong. My marriage is a happy marriage and it is blessed. But like any relationship in this sinful world it is not perfect. I thought I would share with you these five things in the hope that it will help you in your marriages as well. I am speaking specifically to wives.

1. Ensure that your relationship with your Lord and Savior is pleasing to Him. Have you given Him your all? Do you obey His commands with a whole-hearted love? If not, then take some time to really focus and pray on where you need to improve and what you need to repent of. Give your life totally to God.

2. Remember your role. (Ephesians 5:23 “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.”) The Bible is very clear on this and no matter how much humans want to change it, it can’t be changed: in marriage, men were made to lead, women are made to follow. Ladies, our husbands are “in charge.” Just as Christ is head of the church, so our husbands are our heads. You may not like it – in fact most of the world hates this! – yet it is just the way God made it and we need to embrace this fact joyfully. Support your husband in what he does. Help him pursue his dreams and his vision for his family. Do not be afraid to speak up at times. Offer your opinion honestly when he has asked for it (no “That’s fine dear.”)

3. Be respectful. Again, ladies, I am pulling from the Bible here. In your words, actions, and deeds, be respectful of your man. To his face and behind his back ensure your words are God-honoring. Don’t become one of those women who do nothing but tear her husband down with her words.

4. Do not treat him as one of the kids. You are not his mother. You are his companion and the mate God made especially for him. Nitpicking every little thing he does? Don’t do it. Nagging? That needs to stop, immediately. Fussing at him for his every little fault will get you nowhere and will only cause stress and tension in your marriage.

5. Hubby first, kids last. As mothers it is so hard to put this into practice. Ask me how I know! The hubs comes home, we hand him a screaming kid, and turn back around to do dishes, make dinner, and get the table set. Why not try greeting him with a kiss and a smile? A “so glad to see YOU!” and a hug? If your husband starts a conversation with you and the kids interrupt ask them to wait till you are done speaking with Daddy. Show them that he is first in your eye.

As I wrote this I was prompted of how I need to work on each one of these things in my own marriage. Do not take these tips and let them burden you into an endless cycle of guilt but rather use them as reminders on where you need to improve! Remember that God sees your hard work and will bless you because of it!

Kelly is the intensely happily married woman to her husband of 7 ½ years. She is also the mother of 4 children ages 6 and under. She writes at Wisdom Begun (http://wisdombegun.com/) where she shares her struggles with being a young mom and tries to encourage other young moms to “keep on keeping on.” Every aspect of being a mother with young children is covered: health and well being, faith in God, homeschooling, organization, and more! Please be sure to visit her there or follow her on Twitter: (http://twitter.com/WisdomBegun).

Photo credit: bjearwicke (http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1022366)

*Disclaimer – I don’t necessarily agree with all of this verbatim, but I agree that we should have respect in our marriages. ~Kelli