Blessing the Husbands in our Families

My husband and I drove separately to church on Sunday morning, but we came home that afternoon in his SUV since we would be coming back together that night for the final session of our spring conference. In the afternoon, my family was napping and I decided to go to a coffee shop to grab an iced coffee drink. Since I didn’t have my van, I took Andrew’s SUV, which is a 2000 GMC Yukon. As I fired up the engine and pulled out of the driveway, I realized what a heavier car the SUV was than my Hyundai Entourage minivan. I also thought, this car can pull a lot more weight than mine. However, I was really glad that my minivan was not as heavy! While my minivan is a decent size, I like the smoother ride and the lighter weight. It’s perfect for me. And the SUV is perfect for my husband.

As simple as these thoughts sound, the Lord often speaks in these subtle ways. This is one reason that He says, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” And in this moment, He showed me something precious about husbands, and I felt Him giving a word to husbands. Husbands carry a greater weight and responsibility in families. This isn’t to say that the weight wives carry is less or not as important. While women are also called to be leaders in the church, have gifts and callings of the Holy Spirit, and can minister just as men do, God has ordained men to lead their families - a beautiful divine order. It’s a place of grace, safety and protection for our families. But it’s easy to dismiss their roles as husbands and not recognize the strength of it. Wives don’t realize what husbands carry because wives carry something differently and drive a different “car.” As I drove Andrew’s car, I felt so thankful for what he carried and the “car” he drove. He is an explorer, a protector, a provider, fearless, hearty, and God requires this of him but gives great grace to him for the task. I believe the Lord wants to bless and encourage the men in families. And he wants the wives to bless them too. He is calling the men to honor their position and drive their cars well; to truly step into their callings as the head of the household and by the grace of God carry their weight faithfully. As men continue to step into their role, and as women bless the roles of their husbands and also “drive” in their roles, we are going to see great advancement in the Body of Christ. Just like my husband drives a Yukon, symbolizing exploration and advancement, so will the husbands of our families make advancements in the kingdom!

Lord Jesus, I bless my husband as the head of my household. I ask right now that you would bless the husbands of the households that they lead. Help them to walk by your grace and carry the things you’ve given them faithfully and with confidence.