By the Rev. Dr. Ed Hird
It has been said that “The task of Motherhood in this day and age is challenging and rewarding beyond measure. It requires a special blend of love and authority, not to mention unyielding commitment and plenty of hard work” (Focus on the Family). With motherhood being such a challenging task, ii is more important than ever that husbands specially affirm their wives in that vital but underrated work. Mother’s Day on the 2nd Sunday of each year is an annual reminder to the mothers of our children of this bottom line message: “Honey, I love you” (or equivalent) is an expression that their mothering is backed up by a partner who really cares for them.
Ephesians 5:33 teaches that “each one must love his wife as he loves himself’ Love, especially romantic love, is one of the deepest needs of today’s mothers in a frantic, often lonely world. I believe that God sends husbands to earth precisely to meet that need in a woman’s heart.
One of the greatest obstacles to really loving our wives is the tendency of men to want to fix everything. We so often want to solve all our problems logically, orderly and immediately. That may work in the business world, but it rarely works in the world of relationships. What our wives want from us as husbands is not so much the ability to solve all their problems, but rather the willingness to really listen, to really lay aside our agendas and just “be there”. The Bible says that we “should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” Intensive listening is a fundamental way of saying “Honey, I love you” on Mother’s Day.
Paddy Ducklow, a counsellor and Pastor, said recently that the 8 most important words in a marriage are “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. It’s my fault” He suggested that every couple memorize these 8 words, (even if they never plan to use them). Those 8 words are one more way of saying on Mother’s Day “Honey, I love you”.
My Mother’s Day prayer for those moms reading this article is that many moms may feel loved by their husbands in a way that they have never before experienced, that the mothers of our children may feel listened to and cared for not only on the 2nd Sunday of May, but all year round. May every day be a mother’s day.
The Rev. Dr. Ed Hird, BSW, MDiv, DMin
-award-winning author of the book Battle for the Soul of Canada
-previously published in the Deep Cove Crier/North Shore News
P. S. Click this Amazon link to view for free the first two chapters of our new novel Blue Sky.
“I’m afraid there’s been an accident…”
Sandy Brown and her family have just moved to Spokane, Washington where her husband, Scott, is pastoring a new church. With a fresh start, Sandy is determined to devote more time to her four children. But, within weeks of settling in their new life, the Brown family is plunged into turmoil.
Sandy receives shocking news that her children aren’t safe, which brings back haunting memories of the trauma she experienced as a girl. Then, the unthinkable happens…
A brutal attack puts Sandy on the brink of losing everything she’s loved. Her faith in God and the family she cherishes are pushed to the ultimate limit.
Is healing possible when so many loved ones are hurt? Are miracles really possible through the power of prayer? Can life return to the way it was before?
Blue Sky reveals how a mother’s most basic instinct isn’t for survival… but for family.
If you’re a fan of Karen Kingsbury, then you’ll love Blue Sky. Get your copy today on paperback or kindle.
-Click to check out our marriage book For Better For Worse: discovering the keys to a lasting relationship on Amazon. You can even read the first two chapters for free to see if the book speaks to you.
-The sequel book Restoring Health: body, mind and spirit is available online with Amazon.com in both paperback and ebook form. Dr. JI Packer wrote the foreword, saying “I heartily commend what he has written.” The book focuses on strengthening a new generation of healthy leaders. Drawing on examples from Titus’ healthy leadership in the pirate island of Crete, it shows how we can embrace a holistically healthy life.
In Canada, Amazon.ca has the book available in paperback and ebook. It is also posted on Amazon UK (paperback and ebook), Amazon France (paperback and ebook), and Amazon Germany (paperback and ebook).
Restoring Health is also available online on Barnes and Noble in both paperback and Nook/ebook form. Nook gives a sample of the book to read online.
Indigo also offers the paperback and the Kobo ebook version. You can also obtain it through ITunes as an IBook.
To receive a personally signed copy within North America, just etransfer at ed_hird@telus.net, giving your address. Cheques are also acceptable.
-Click to purchase the Companion Bible Study by Jan Cox (for the Battle of the Soul of Canada) in both paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
Indigo also offers the paperback and the Kobo ebook version. You can also obtain it through ITunes as an IBook.
-Click to purchase the Companion Bible Study by Jan Cox (for the Battle of the Soul of Canada) in both paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
To purchase any of our six books in paperback or ebook on Amazon, just click on this link.
Sandy Brown and her family have just moved to Spokane, Washington where her husband, Scott, is pastoring a new church. With a fresh start, Sandy is determined to devote more time to her four children. But, within weeks of settling in their new life, the Brown family is plunged into turmoil.
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