My sweetheart’s birthday was a few weeks ago at the beginning of October. He had to go on a business trip and it ended on his big day! So after he recouped a little from travelling all day, we went to dinner at a French gastropub and then came home for gift opening time. I’m excited to report that he loved his tennis racket shaped electric bug zapper! ~smile~
Several years back, Eric and I went to a friend’s house to carve pumpkins. He had a blast and he’s mentioned it every year since. Unfortunately, I’ve dropped the ball on making that happen again until this year! So, the Saturday before his birthday, we went to spend the day with Eric’s step-brother and step-brother’s wife (his widowed dad re-married and now we have two awesome people we absolutely adore! ~smile~) and the four of us went to a local pumpkin patch to pick our perfect pumpkins (say that five times fast). There were pumpkins as far as the eye could see!
After picking our perfect pumpkins and putting them in the car, we decided to traverse the corn maze. Eric obtained a map and, as usual, I followed him. He read the directions, followed them, and I skipped along close behind. After a few minutes, it occurred to me that I had no idea where we were going and I was fine with it. I was talking and joking around with my sister-in-law without a care in the world. I knew we’d come out at the end. I trusted my leader. After all, I’ve been following him around for years now. ~smile~
Every so often, I have random warm fuzzy moments come to my heart. I love it when I’m reminded that I am married to an awesome leader. It is such a comfort going to bed at night knowing that Eric would fight for me and that he will always work hard to provide for our family. Honestly, it’s not a responsibility I would want and I greatly respect men who take leading their families seriously.
I’ve talked to a number of people who either have husbands who don’t take their leadership responsibilities seriously or who have wives who refuse to follow. My heart goes out to women who don’t feel like they can go to their husband for a strong hug and support. My heart goes out to men whose wives refuse to listen to and respect them, especially if they are trying to fulfill their calling to be Godly leaders in their homes. It’s miserable to be in a marriage with a man who won’t lead or a woman who won’t follow.
Please understand that I am not suggesting that men should have all the responsibility in the relationship or those women should just shut up and follow. Men need women and women need men. I need Eric for his strength and he needs me to help soften his rough spots. I need his leadership and he needs my input. God instituted the family and he gave men and women different roles. Men are not better than women. Women are not better than men. We’re just different.
Is your boyfriend someone who inspires confidence in you? Do you trust him enough to follow him forever? Gentlemen, are you confident that you are ready for the responsibility of spiritually leading a wife and family? Are you ready to lead a family on a hiking trip? Are you ready to lead your family financially or scholastically? Is the lady you are dating now the same lady you want to have by your side, still gently leading fifty years from now? Remember, you will be a team. Is he the team captain you want for life? Is she the teammate you want for life?
Take it from me: being married to a good leader is a true blessing. He was worth the wait. If you are dating a lazy man who doesn’t like to make decisions, it won’t be cute for long – seriously. If you’re dating a head strong woman who refuses to submit to authority, you will get your fill of being treated like an idiot for the rest of your life sooner than you may think! Waiting to select a good man, or a good woman, is always worth the wait!
Is your boyfriend a good (and kind) leader? Is your girlfriend a good (and wise) follower?