How's it going husbands?

I remember a thought I had before Nicol and I got married, when we hadn’t yet encountered any significant tests or trials, and when we certainly weren’t able to comprehend the meaning of marriage as the most effective tool in God’s sanctification tool box.  

My thought went something like this: Everyday, when I get out of bed, the way I’m going to start my day, the first thing I’m going to do, is kneel down beside the bed and pray for my wife and ask God to bless her and our marriage.

A rather ideal thought, huh? Nicol jokes that we were “in la la land” in those days… and I have to agree. Needless to say, I haven’t lived up to my well-intentioned thought.

The following verses have been humming through my mind of late. Does anyone experience the same kind of tension as I do between God’s instructions to me as a husband/my good intentions and my actions/attitudes?

Here’s what God says… 

• Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25)
• [Husbands] let each one of you love his wife as himself (Ephesians 5:33)
• Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them (Colossians 3:19)
• Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way (1 Peter 3:7)

So, how’s all that going husbands???

God, please help us…