Dear Ladies . . .

Dear Ladies,

As Valentine's Day ends and Lent begins, my soul turns inward to see how I may be a better wife to my amazing husband.  These reflections, prompted by some books my godmother gave me when I was preparing for marriage, came to mind.

I think we women need a reminder to give the men in our lives respect and honor when they stand against the tide of the world in their own way. Guys may not get hints, but they sure do understand big appreciative smiles and words of thanks when they do things well.  Often, we focus on the ways women are told how to look and act according to "the world" and how that affects us negatively.  We need to be aware of our brothers in Christ, too.  SO many men get pressured into trying to achieve a certain "image"--that of the successful, popular, totally in-control, strong, unaffected "man." A perceived failure to live up to that image given them by society causes many to turn to twisted sexual outlets, substance abuse, and/or despair. We wonder why men are not the Prince Charmings we dreamed of coming to affirm us and fight for us? Probably because they don't understand that merely being themselves (and being a servant leader in their relationships with women) is enough to win our hearts.
 
Men and women were meant to complete each other, in marriage and on a less intimate level in friendship. Let's not forget our profound responsibility to help them be the true men they are by loving them and receiving their acts of kindness and service and vulnerability with gentleness and gratitude.

And to my husband: I love and respect you more than you can imagine.  You're my daily hero, and you still sweep me off my feet.  I love you now and always.


Love, Kel