Under One Roof - Part Two

Yet another good sermon shared over the pulpit today. Pastor Danny shared about Building Great Relationships with scripture references from Ephesians 5:22 to 6:4. I believe most of us are familar with the passage that talks about husbands and wives, parents and children. But knowing it is one thing, practicing it is another. God reminded me today about the relationships I hold dear to me and how to build and sustain them. I will not mention much about wives submiting to their husbands except that I was reminded that He (or she) who the Son sets free is free indeed. As such, I must never treat my spouse as someone who I can lord over. When she sumits to me, she is submitting:
a) as an equal (God created her to compliment me.
b) to my headship (as head of the household cos' I'll ultimately be reponsible for my family before God).
c) with limits (nothing outside the law and the will of God)

Two points in the sermon really spoke to me today because it is something really applicable and real.

1) Love your wives as Christ loves the church - Eph 5:25-33
How do we do that? Pastor Danny suggested 3 ways from the word of God.

a) Be a servant Leader - Hosea 3:1
I should lead by serving her needs. This is something I'm really guilty of. Time and time again I've failed to serve my wife. Time and time again I've failed to meet her needs. One thing in particular...quality time. I have no excuses, sometimes all I wanted was to sitin front of the TV and waste away, while Hunny was somewhere craving for some attention. I have to learn to be a better listener and friend.

b) Be Faithful - Hosea 3:2
I don't sleep around, I don't commit adultery, is that enough? Nope...cos' everytime I picked up a girly magazine, I was already adultery in my heart. Pastor said that a Jealous wife is a gift from God and I agree with him. Cos' my wife's sign of jealousy, is her way of protecting our relationship. I thank God that Hunny is easily threatened when another female enters into her domain. It's her way of guarding our relationship and I'm thankful for that. So I will have less female friends, but so what? I'd choose Hunny anytime.

c) Meet her needs - Hosea 3:3
Kinda related to a) so I will not elaborate further.

The other point that hit me hard was about honoring our parents. It's not enough just to do it on special occasions like Fathers'/Mothers' Day, birthdays etc. It's more than obeying them. Now that I'm older, it's really about being there with them and for them. It's tough when you are married and starting a family on your own, you really want time with your own little family unit to bond and to grow. But I guess we really have to make it a point to spend time with them regularly. Just spending time with my parents today for example, I can tell that they really longed for our company. Not just me but my wife's as well, Ma and Pa really enjoy being around us and talking to us. Well...they will probably not have to miss us for long cos' soon we'll be bugging them to look after our daughter ha ha! But seriously speaking, I do feel bad that I don't visit them enough. I can give a thousand and one reasons for not going over to their home...work, no car, expensive cab fare, need to rest etc. But at the end of the day, I just need to put in a little more effort. And since I'm on this...it's time to visit both my grandmas soon. Oh...and my nanny too.

The final point in today's sermon was about being a good parent - Eph 6:4
I sincerely pray that in time to come, I'll be able to:
a) Govern as a wise King.
b) Guard as a brave Warrior.
c) Guide as a faithful Prophet and Priest.

It's not easy to be a good husband, son and father. But I know that with God's help I can do it...so God...help me...please...;oP