I respect my husband. Not because he is perfect, but because he is a good man worthy of it. Although I am an independent woman, I have a dependency on my husband to lead myself and our family. I know that God designed not one of us to be better than the other; but He did have an order for who would lead. Men must take this seriously, but so should women. I want to add before I go any further, that a man should also be striving to be a godly man, worthy of leading. When I spend our money, he always knows about it, there are no lies or secrets. I do not go out and make shifty or sneaky purchases behind his back. I respect him and that our money is exactly that, ours. When we have a decision to make, it is ours to make. I do not talk badly about my husband, even when I may be frustrated with him. If we have an issue we need to work through, it is our issue and not to be shared with the world that can cast judgement and create division. If my husband is doing something that I do not believe is good for him, our family or our faith; I let him know about my concerns and help him get back on track. I know that he will do the same for me. I compliment and encourage my husband daily. Though I am not a perfect wife, I am doing my best to be a godly one. One in which supports my husband as the leader of our home. One in which with the support of my husband; nurtures our children to grow in God’s word, guides them how to be godly men and be good, kind, and independent people someday.  I do not have it all figured out and I am learning continuously on how to be the wife and mom that God has designed for me to be. However, that is something I am always striving toward. I believe that as a woman if we show our husbands more respect, allow our husbands to fulfill their role as called and love our husband as godly wives; our marriages flourish and are so much stronger and happier! Friend, we can be independent and strong women and still submit to our husband’s leadership. With God at the center and the foundation of our marriage, living out our marriage as God has instructed makes for a marriage as God designed. Both beautiful and strong. Men need to lead their family as God has called, with love and care; women in turn, should lovingly allow their husbands to fulfill that role.

  In today’s society I know that allowing men to lead is not a popular opinion. This world even encourages women to be independent and lead. Or even goes as far as to say at times, that women don’t need a man. Not having many godly men worthy of leading, has made it easy for women to agree with the world. That is why men should step up and be the men that God has designed them to be. It is not ever too late to start. For women who have not yet married; that is why it is so important to be choosy and careful on who to marry. If as men and women we start consistently keeping God at the center and filling our roles as God designed, this world would have a lot less problems; both with their marriages and as well as in life. I can honestly say that having a godly marriage has not only made my marriage better; but it has helped me be a better mom, woman of faith and fulfill my God-given purpose here. May we all love in our marriages as God has designed. For it is amazing how well things work, when we follow the instructions of the one in which designed us.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Proverb 12:4 NIV

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

Ephesians 5:23-25 NIV

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.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Ephesians 5:33 NIV

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.