“Love does not insist on its own way…” 1 Corinthians 13:4

Rob Green helpfully applies this characteristic of love to the husband driving home from a long and tiring day at work:

While many people marry because the other person helps them love themselves better than anyone else, biblical love is interested in giving instead of taking, and serving instead of being served. When people arrive home from work, they often feel tired and run down. They are ready for a relaxing, problem-free evening. But when they are met at the door by a needy spouse (one who wants to have adult conversation for the next two hours, one who wants to share her feelings and emotions, one who is crying after a horrible day), there is a tendency to get frustrated. Biblical love does not demand from the other person, but willingly gives. Biblical love seeks the good of the other.

You might ask, “How does this happen?” Most of us, myself included, have a drive from our work to our home. A wise man uses this drive time to pray and confess something like this:

“Lord, you know I am tired. What I want most is to go home and discover that the homework is done, a wonderful dinner is ready, and a relaxing evening of playing outside in the beautiful weather is ahead. But I know that your will might be something different today.

Help me to remember that I don’t need anything because you have given me everything I need. If I get home and chaos exists, help me to gently, kindly, patiently love each member of my family. Help me remember that my wife has probably had a hard day too and you may calling me to serve her tonight. Please help me to use this opportunity to display the reality that Jesus’s death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and present ministry are meaningful in my life.”

(Taken from Tying the Knot, p. 31-32)

May God’s men love their families in such a way.