Scripture of the Day: Ephesians 5:33
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Love and respect. We have all heard about these topics before. From a biblical perspective, we are taught that in a marriage relationship the woman needs love to feel loved and the man needs to be respected to feel loved. I have seen this play out in my marriage at times, but it has never seemed so apparent to me as when I look at the different triggers we have when it comes to dealing with our son. Confused? Here is my tie-in!
The characteristics I try to instill in my son the most involve love. When he is unkind (i.e. won't do something as simple as pick up something when someone's hands are full, or refuses to give someone a hug good-bye), it makes me crazy! I call him out on it, and ensure that he apologizes or corrects the behavior. What amuses me here is that my hubby, although he may get hurt feelings, will let the behavior slide, without calling Nathan out on it.
However, the instant my son takes on a snotty tone or talks back, my husband calls out from wherever he is in the house: "be respectful!" And that behavior I would let slide (for a time or two, as long as it is not blatant).
I have been wondering why we feel the need to correct different behavior and then it hit me. Love and respect. Love, to me, is most shown through loving behavior (being kind, affectionate and helpful). Love, to my husband, is most shown through being respectful to another person. And the reason for both of our "styles" if you will is that God designed it that way! I love it! Here we are, both trying to teach our son the ways to show love based on what God designed men and women to need! In our own way, we are applying biblical teaching to a 3 year old. Hopefully it sticks :)
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Love and respect. We have all heard about these topics before. From a biblical perspective, we are taught that in a marriage relationship the woman needs love to feel loved and the man needs to be respected to feel loved. I have seen this play out in my marriage at times, but it has never seemed so apparent to me as when I look at the different triggers we have when it comes to dealing with our son. Confused? Here is my tie-in!
The characteristics I try to instill in my son the most involve love. When he is unkind (i.e. won't do something as simple as pick up something when someone's hands are full, or refuses to give someone a hug good-bye), it makes me crazy! I call him out on it, and ensure that he apologizes or corrects the behavior. What amuses me here is that my hubby, although he may get hurt feelings, will let the behavior slide, without calling Nathan out on it.
However, the instant my son takes on a snotty tone or talks back, my husband calls out from wherever he is in the house: "be respectful!" And that behavior I would let slide (for a time or two, as long as it is not blatant).
I have been wondering why we feel the need to correct different behavior and then it hit me. Love and respect. Love, to me, is most shown through loving behavior (being kind, affectionate and helpful). Love, to my husband, is most shown through being respectful to another person. And the reason for both of our "styles" if you will is that God designed it that way! I love it! Here we are, both trying to teach our son the ways to show love based on what God designed men and women to need! In our own way, we are applying biblical teaching to a 3 year old. Hopefully it sticks :)
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