Loving God's Way

Who is your biggest fan?  That question should cause you to consider how your spouse would answer it.  Husbands and wives should be the biggest fan of one another.

What does that mean?  It means we pray for one another.  We protect one another.  We show genuine compassion for one another.  We want to be a part of the solutions rather than creating problems.  Further, it is crucial that we cheer for one another.

I remember a time a couple years ago, when I was speaking at a conference with some high-profile religious leaders.  Beverley, my wife, could tell I was nervous and that this engagement was important to me.  I delivered my message and gave it my best.  As we were walking out of the convention hall, Beverley slipped her arm through mine, looked at me and said, "I was proud of you tonight."  I can't tell you how much that meant to me.  The one who mattered most had affirmed me. 

Take a few minutes to think over the last few weeks through a relational lens.  Did you affirm your spouse and your children regularly? Did you look for the positive in each of them rather than the negative? Did you take the time to ask, "How are you doing?" Did you, by your words, actions and deeds, express unconditional love?  Did you live your faith as an example?

As I write these thoughts, I cannot help but reflect on the words of the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (I Corinthians 13:4-7).

As God has chosen to love us that way, let us seek to love one another as He has loved us.  When we do, we'll find that we've become our spouse's biggest fan.