by Marilynn Chadwick

…continued from yesterday

Honor is sorely lacking in many of our homes. Marriages are breaking up at an alarming rate. Sadly, the percentage of wives leaving their husbands has risen dramatically. I believe this topic of honor is timely.

We’d first do well to remind ourselves that at its core, honor is a biblical concept, woven throughout the pages of Scripture to characterize our relationship with God and with each other. The Bible defines honor in the most precious of terms, conveying not only value and respect, but also extreme costliness. It’s sometimes used interchangeably with the word for wealth. So to honor someone is to treat that person as having the utmost worth.

I, too, can use a refresher course myself in how to show my husband how special he is to me. You’d think that after over four decades of marriage, I’d have this one down. David and I have had a wonderful life together. We love and respect each other and we enjoy spending time together. We’ve always remained faithful to one another.

But now and then, if I’m honest with myself, I’ve been guilty of taking my husband for granted. Maybe you have, too. The mystery and the wonder of marriage—we can let it slide past us if we’re not watching. We can forget to be thankful when the familiar becomes comfortable. To honor our husbands means to recapture a little of the awe.

I want to explore how to become more mindful about how to honor my husband, but also how to reclaim honor in our culture in general. From men to women and women to men. From young to old and old to young. I will share some of the practical ways I’ve learned to communicate to David that I truly do honor him as the most special person in my life. I will also include some valuable tips from friends in my life.

My husband’s father, the late Dr. Howard Chadwick, used to tell David, “The best gift you can give your children is a strong marriage.” And so I remind those of you who are moms: The best gift you can give your children is to love and honor your husband.

Our husbands are not simply an afterthought sandwiched in between life with kids, chores, workouts, and activities. We need to be strong, faithful, and above all, intentional if we want our marriages not just to survive but to thrive. Our marriages are worth it. So are our husbands.

It’s time to have an honest conversation about honor. Why does it seem to be in such short supply these days? The culture around us is groaning, desperately in need of honor. My hope is that together, we could spark a movement of honor that would spill over into a hurting and broken world. It’s hard work, but the rewards are worth it. I hope you’ll join me for this journey.

_____________

This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!