Unexpected Marvelous Marriage Moment

Happy Monday! Let’s start the week off with a Marvelous Marriage Moment.

Desmond and Clara Nistetter (My Daddy and Mama)

My Mama and Daddy dated each other throughout their marriage. Dated? Yes, they dated. They loved going out to dinner as a couple and with others. Their dates were special times, times of dressing up in their finest—Daddy in a suit and tie, Mama in heels, dress, and lots of jewelry … each heavily perfumed. Daddy was usually ready before Mama, and he waited in their formal living room. When she finally appeared, she lifted her arms, smiled, and twirled for Daddy. He clapped and told her how beautiful she was. She bowed her head and smiled. The perfect beginning to a love-filled evening.

I’ve had a few of those moments. Have you? This was their routine. Do you have a similar routine? Does your routine include pronouncing your pride in your husband?

Proclaimed praise sets the tone for greater things.
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We burst forth in praise when we remember who God is. Our hearts are filled with joy when we consider all that He has done for us. I imagine our Father in heaven smiling as we praise Him. We praise God in our worship songs and our prayers. We clap, raise our hands, smile, and celebrate God.

We praise our children with clapping, rewards, stickers, words, hugs, and celebrations. We award trophies and medals. We click a thumbs up or a heart on social media. We tape drawings and “atta-boys” to the refrigerator. We smile when people praise us. I’ll admit it; sometimes, I get embarrassed, but deep down inside, I’m smiling. We like applause. It tells us that others think we’re valuable and what we do matters.

Our husbands bask in praise.

Let’s try a simple act of praise. The next time you are close to your husband, take his bicep and squeeze it. I’ll bet that he flexes his muscle. If he does, say, “Oooooh! You are working out!” Does he puff up and grin?

Come back and let us know what his reaction was.

Momentary praise leads to prolonged smiles.

“What are you going to do with the duster?”

“I’m dusting the baseboards.”

“What?”

Keith began with my office and went through the entire house. He returned and said, “I got some stuff.”

I grabbed my tambourine, shook it, pranced in circles, woo-hooing all the while. He hopped from one foot to the other and shouted, “She wants me!” A momentary celebration that filled both of us with joy. Yes, this really happened.

I keep a tambourine handy for treasured moments like these.

From Genesis to Revelation, praise inhabits God’s Word.

Praise appears 207 times in 183 verses in the English Standard Version of the Bible. Praise must be important in the lives of God’s people and to God Himself.

“And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, ‘This time I will praise the LORD.’ Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.” Genesis 29:35 (ESV)

Leah and Rachel were Jacob’s wives, but Jacob loved Rachel. So God opened Leah’s womb but not Rachel’s womb at that time. Leah named her fourth son Judah, “praise.” How fitting that Jesus is a descendant of “Praise,” Judah’s line. I imagine that each time Leah looked upon Judah, she praised God for her son.

Another woman in the Bible was steeped in praise – praise for her husband, King Solomon.

[She] “My beloved is radiant and ruddy,
distinguished among ten thousand.
His head is the finest gold;
his locks are wavy, black as a raven.” Song of Solomon 5:10-11 (ESV)

The Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) is the love story of a young country girl and King Solomon. It is the poetry of a marriage steeped in intimate love and praise for each other.

God gave us the gift of marriage as a reflection of His love for you and me. The bride used her senses and emotions to describe her love and respect for her husband. Sight, smell, sound, taste, touch, and respect. What if your husband heard you boasting to your friends in such a loving way? Do you think he would punch the sky with a high five? What a joyous moment for him.

Tell him.

Tell your husband that he is radiant and distinguished, that you see his head and think of the finest gold, that his hair is beautiful (or his bald head shines like the sun). Tell him that he is your beloved and that he is your friend.

Friend, write a description of your husband. You might want to start by describing your husband from the top of his head down to his big toe in loving terms. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and words. As you describe your husband, notice your emotions. Are you smiling?

Once you have written your description, read it slowly, as if it is your prayer. Let it speak to you. Thank God for your husband and ask God for the right timing to read your description to your husband. When God prompts you, say a quick prayer and ask your husband if you can share your description of him. He will melt.

Father, thank You for the gift of marriage. Help us to look for the good in our spouses and to praise them with enthusiasm. May we rejoice in Your gift of marriage and respond with praise – praise to You and to our spouses. In Jesus’ name, amen.