Got it. Thanks for clarifying. :love: I will admit, this is an area I have always struggled with. Perhaps it's partly because my husband and I really have always had great communication, and we have always had a mutual respect for each other's feelings and are always able to sort though things together as a team well. Not that we are perfect and don't have our arguments, but I haven't really had to deal with this kind of 'submission' before. Know what I mean? Not sure if that makes sense.
I understand exactly where you are coming from. My husband loves me like Jesus loves the church, which makes my submission to his leading easy--a blessing, even. However, he wasn't always the man he is today. I used to say that if I ever wrote a book it would be titled The Married Woman's Guide to Single Christian Living. No joy ride, let me tell you. But he actually did say years later that if I had continued to challenge him he probably would not have given in to the Lord drawing him back.
Yeah, I have to say that I have had the opposite experience with my hubby. I have had to encourage him over the years to be more of the leader just in general. The first time I said "Whatever you want to do, it's up to you, your'e the leader of our family"...I think he about had a heart attack! LOL I have found in the last few years, that I 'need' him to be like that more often. He's just very much about running our house as a team (and so am I)...which is great, don't get me wrong...but there are times where I just need him to make a decision and to say that is that. Yes, there are many times when I am VERY grateful and feel blessed that we are always able to work at a team, but there are some times where I just need him to be that rock for our family. See...I'm coming around.
And it really is a "need"! I was SO disapointed he didn't really care for the movie COURAGEOUS! He thought is was...OK.... Sigh.... But being submissive is really rather easy, because he DOES love me and the kids the way he does. And, as you said, Jen, the communication is there, too. Rachael, btw, has started a Bible Study on Sunday afternoon for about five young ladies, all Seniors in high school. All are fairly strong Christian gals. The book the chose to do is "Preparing to Be a Helpmeet" (or something like that), by Debbie Pearl. It's so encouraging to see these young ladies, even now, trying to understand their role and preparing to be a Godly wife!
That's a wonderful book, and I wish I'd read it at their age. If I had my life to live over...? *sigh*
Jackie, I haven't seen the movie yet. Did you like it? I have heard many people say they like it. Troy did like Fireproof when we watched it. He doesn't like sappy kind of movies, but he did really like the message behind it...even with the horrible acting. lol I've been wanting to watch Courageous...hopefully soon.
Yes, I did. Some parts were pretty sappy, but overall it was a good movie. Some parts were downright funny. And the Hispanic woman!!! We know a hs'ing gal from Brazil, and the Hispanic woman in the movie was SO Mrs. F!!! I did like Fireproof better.
Haven't read all the responses yet, but I wanted to let everyone know that I have my husband's blessings.... Some things have come to light and I wasn't going to tell him but decided I needed to.. Afterwards, Ds14 was upset over leaving the church last night and having to visit a new church he didn't want to go to. Was blaming me for making all of them leave.. Hubby backed me up and told him that we decided TOGETHER to leave and that's what's going to happen.. Said that they are not growing spiritually and there's issues in the teens that is not good for them to be in. He said he wasn't thrilled about trying out a new church but he was going to do it... My husband is one that will NOT say something like that unless he meant it.. Surprised the heck outta me!! So we will be visiting Wednesday night.. Forgot to mention that after praying like crazy and spending several hours crying my eyes out to a friend last night, I came home and talked with my husband. I don't know what happened to me but I totally told him everything that's been on my mind about him and church.. He's struggling with God and I know it but I wasn't sure why and he wouldn't tell me.. I had a hunch it had to do with his health issues.. We both broke down yesterday and talked about what was going on with each other.. He said he doesn't see God anywhere around.. He works for other people but not for him.. He doesn't understand WHY God has allowed him to go through what he is going through.. Right now he can barely walk.. 5 fractured vertebra several years ago left him in constant pain and now his hip is bothering him so bad he can't lift one of his legs.. Not fair for us that we are having to do with this is what he says... He says he's searching for an answer and God is not giving him one.. I asked WHERE are you searching?? Are you reading the bible and going to church? are you talking with a pastor? NOTHING is happening he's just sitting there waiting for God to boom down his voice and tell him exactly WHY this has happened to him.. It's totally pushed him from God.. For me, it has drawn me closer.. I KNOW God has plans for us and that Glory will come out of it if we allow it.. Sometimes it takes things like this to happen before we realize that God has always been there.. He WILL use this! I KNOW THIS.. He doesn't understand it.. I have spent the entire day in prayer. I feel God working in our family.. My boys have played their guitars ALLLLLL day and I have praised God during their songs. It's been like a day long worship service.. I feel like a weight has been lifted off me.. My cup is literally running over!! I can NOT explain this but I KNOW that this was the right thing to do.. The way everything fell into place is only something God can do..
What a great surprise! Praying for this to be the beginning of a wonderful new season in your family's life.
WONDERFUL!!! The conversation, whether your dh realizes it or not, is an answer from God. It's definately a step in the right direction. BTW, of all the churches we've visited, the one I felt most "at home" at, DH didn't care for! Sigh....
It's amazing when we see God's hand in things like this. What an encouragement for you! I pray your husband will continue to allow himself to be vulnerable to God's healing power -- body, heart and spirt!
