Do y’all remember the parable of the Good Samaritan? Anytime I think of Bible stories like this one, that I heard as a child, I can help but replay it in my head in flannelgraph form. This is a story told by Jesus to illustrate a point. Let’s read the story:
As much as we like to think of our men as superheros, they aren’t immune to the attacks of the world. They are the first line of defense for our family. They get attacked and hurt. They struggle and fall. Their circumstances make them feel alone, just the way the enemy wants them to feel.
Attacks can look different for each man. It could be financial problems, pornography addiction, health issues, alcohol or drug addiction, unfaithfulness or losing their way from Christ. Every single one of these issues can leave husbands feeling alone, worthless and not knowing where to turn.
When your husband is the one hurting, laying alongside the road, do you rush to help him? Or do you walk past, thinking “he needs to get over it”, “I just don’t have time” or “it’s not my problem, he did it to himself”. It’s so easy to get caught up in our own selfish world, becoming just like the priest and Levite, and not wanting to stop and take the time to help our husbands.
Ladies, it’s time to become the Good Samaritan wife.
As we can see from the verses above, the Good Samaritan felt for him. He bandaged his wounds, look him to an inn and took care of him. Are you willing to do that?
As wives, we are each called to be our husband’s helpmate. It doesn’t say we should only help him when things are running smoothly. Being a helpmate is about so so so much more than that! It is about helping to lift him when he falls. It is about lightening my husband’s load so that he’s free to carry the burden of leading and providing for our family. It’s about being a listening ear when needed. It’s about being his cheerleader. It’s about being whatever he needs us to be.
Love him. Show him mercy, love and compassion. Be understanding. Remember that we are all sinners. Shower him with grace and forgiveness.
Listen. Let him talk and listen, like actually for real listen. Don’t just nod your head and say “mmhmm”. I may have been guilty of that a time or two.
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