Valentine’s Day: She's Watching and so are They

Via TJC

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. — Ephesians 5:25

I'll be honest, I haven't always gotten this day right. I've done the last-minute card. The obligatory dinner reservation. Gone through the motions and called it love. But my wife doesn't need a performance. She needs to know she's adored. Actively chosen. Delighted in.

That's what Christ does for His bride. He pursues. He sacrifices. He stays. That is the standard we carry into our homes, not once a year, but especially today, when the whole world is watching how we love.

And speaking of watching, your kids are taking notes.

Your daughter is building her blueprint for how a man should treat her right now, in your living room. Every time you speak to your wife with tenderness, every time you choose her over the screen, over yourself, your little girl files that away. That becomes her standard. You are setting the bar for every man who will ever pursue her.

Your son is learning what it means to be a man. He's watching whether you lead with sacrifice or indifference. Whether you cherish your wife or just coexist with her. You're writing his playbook whether you mean to or not.

Most importantly, your wife is watching and you know what love means to her. 

Let all that you do be done in love. — 1 Corinthians 16:14

Today, be intentional. Look her in the eyes and tell her what she means to you. Let your kids see it. Let them hear it. A home where a wife is adored is a home where daughters learn their worth and sons learn how to love.

Battle Order

Today, do one deliberate, visible thing to make your wife feel adored. Write her a note and read it at the table. Hold her face and tell her she's beautiful. Pray over her out loud. 

Father, forgive us for the times we've coasted. Light a fire in us to pursue our wives the way You pursue us, relentlessly, sacrificially, joyfully. Let our homes be the place our daughters learn their worth and our sons learn what it means to love well. In Jesus' name. Amen.