I am getting such WONDERFUL answers from the ladies to my questions yesterday – I think I may have to run multiple posts! That is a GREAT “problem” to have! Thank you to the ladies who contributed. I know many other wives, marriages and husbands will be blessed.
Here are the questions I asked on Friday:
If you would, please answer one or more of the following questions for me to possibly use in a post:
1. The things I admire most about men in general are –
2. The things I admire most about my own husband are –
3. What fascinates me about masculinity is –
4. Masculinity helps me to understand God’s nature better by showing me –
WIFE #1
1. Men are BEAUTIFUL and FASCINATING creatures to watch.
2. My husband is The Primo Alpha Male. He doesn’t back down from me. Through his leadership and dominance, he patiently teaches me submission.
3. It is wild and undomesticated that says, “Women and children first!”
4. I’m more balanced when I take into consideration both sides of God’s personality. Being female, I tend to lean naturally on God’s feminine qualities, which brings me to the image (which I’m sure you’ve all seen) of Jesus carrying the little lamb: relationally nurturing. However, there is the flip side to the God coin, the masculine. If it wasn’t for my husband’s interpretation of David and his Mighty Men, I wouldn’t understand the warrior heart of God, you know, “The God Who wars” and “God-of-angel-armies” –yes, God’s heart of vengeance.
WIFE #2
1. The things I admire most about men in general are – the way that they are so protective of women in general. It is in their nature to protect.
2. The things I admire most about my own husband are – He is an amazing father. He works so hard to provide for our family. He works overtime so that I can stay home with my baby because its what feels right for us. He balances me out and makes me feel safe. He is also a wonderful leader for me and put family.
3. What fascinates me about masculinity is –
How different it makes men. There is such a difference between men and women.
4. Masculinity helps me to understand God’s nature better by showing me – Strength. Men just seem to have a strength about them. Physical and emotional. They use their strength to be strong for others.
WIFE #3
Hi April, Great idea.
1. I admire the way they think, so methodical and focused, and of course their masculine bodies! I even like the way they (blush) smell!
2. It would be a very long list if I wrote everything I admire about my husband, but mostly it’s his patience, and perseverance. He does not quit. He’s also a brilliant man to have around in a crisis. He stays calm and takes charge with grace and finesse..makes everyone feel better. I love that he’s a brilliant man, with a very creative mind, that makes our life so interesting and exciting… I can honestly say because of his mind and dreams , in 40 years of marriage it has never been dull and I’ve never been bored.
3. Great question! What fascinates me about masculinity is focus. We woman can be great multitaskers, but I love the calm steadfast focus of a man at work. It inspires and touches me…
4. ..how steady and reliable, and faithful and consistent God is.. How safe are the arms of God.
WIFE #4
Hi, April! I love what I’ve learned from your blog about how men mirror the role of Jesus and women the role of the church. It has changed the way I think about gender roles in my marriage. Just one example: it is true that my husband gets a thrill out of providing for me! I used to feel guilty, or not worthy of, receiving things like an expensive dinner out or what we call “frivolous” money, but he is happy to give those things to me, so I have learned to accept the gift with graciousness and enjoy it! That’s not to say that I deserve God’s gifts to me; it just illustrates that sometimes there really is a “free lunch”–I don’t have to do anything to be good enough for it. (From Peacefulwife – I am SO glad! LOVE THIS! Our ability to accept and receive the provisions of our men graciously is a gift to them!)
One thing I admire about men in general is that (in my observation, anyway) they are less likely than women to do things out of guilt. They seem pretty clear about the boundaries on their time and relationships, so they don’t have the hand-wringing, “I don’t WANT to but I SHOULD” episodes that women can have regarding extra commitments and unhealthy “friendships.” I like how straightforward men can be about keeping those things in check.