Submissive by the Grace of God



"Wives, submit to your husband as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." Ephesians 5:22-24

This is a very familiar verse that we all have heard over and over again. It is very easy to read this passage but application can be a bit trickier. Recently it was my privilege to be invited to church friend's home for dinner. I did not know the host and hostess very well and was happy for an opportunity to get to know them better. What I saw in their home, blessed me greatly! 

I saw a women skilled in her work,a housewife professional!!! This women was clearly gifted in management (a woman after my own heart)! She fluttered around preparing food, delegated tasks and had complete control over the order of events for the evening. I was amazed at her skills at keeping a large dinner crowd happy and in order. But the evening took a slight change when her husband decided to read scripture and give us encouraging instruction. She sat very still, eyes fixed on her husband and gave him her full attention. She never interrupted him, she never got up and started clearing the table, she did not start talking to the person next to her, she sat in quiet submission. It was such a contrast to her personality (a mover and doer in control) that I could not help but notice. This gave me hope for myself. 

This encouraged me SO much! Sometimes I meet ladies and they have very sweet, quiet personalities where gentleness and patience seem to come effortlessly. I am not one of these. I grew up in a busy household, often times in charge of 5 little boys. In my world one has to speak up, be firm,consistent, and in charge to get things done. I love to manage and I love to keep order. So not being the manager sometimes comes to me as a challenge. I have come to learn that submission is NOT a personality trait that one is born with and than anyone (yes even me) can be quiet and submissive! It is just a trait that needs careful attention and constant practice. 

Now, I do not know what kinds of husbands you have but that is besides the point because we are told to be submissive to our husbands, no exceptions. I want to be like that housewife who kept her gifts and personality but still was submissive to her husband. We don't have to shut off who we are, we just have to work harder at paying attention to what our husbands have to say and really let go of our selfishness. Your husband was not created to be your helper......(no matter how wonderful and helpful he is) you were created to be his helper. Sometimes with helpful husbands it is easy to get into a pattern of undermining them. If you do everything as a team it is hard when they make a command decision and you are supposed to be okay with it. 

Submission is a rare and beautiful gift to our husbands. It speaks WAY louder than words. It shines a light into our community and shows Christ's love being lived out in a real and practical way! It builds our marriage and sets an example for our children. It is hard but it is so worth it. No one is born with it, everyone has to seek God's grace to grant them the ability to lay down their will to honor their husbands. I want to make a conscious effort to honor and respect my husband each day just as I would Christ! How will you show purposely show your respect to your husband today?

Whenever I need a good reminder I think back to our wedding and our foot-washing ceremony! A great reminder to live each day in the example and humility of our Lord Jesus!