In more than one place in scripture the Lord refers to us as plants. He calls us olive shoots, a tree, harvest, and so on. With our words, we have the power to help determine whether those around us will become as mighty oaks or mere weeds. As we look into our own family, that thought gets real close to home. What do we want around us – wheat or tares? Getting even closer, what do we want to be married to? Our husbands are like that oak tree seedling. We can help them grow strong and straight and reaching for the sun, with huge branches that will provide shelter from the storms. It is all in the power of our words.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters,
but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. Proverbs 18:4
Our words are like water, but the question is, what are we watering? Are we watering the Adam nature in him? Or are we watering the seed of Christ that is in him? Every man, whether saved or not, is made in the image of God. He has redeeming qualities. He has giftings and callings. Those are what we want to water.
If we want the Jesus inside of him to grow and prosper, then that is what we should be watering with our words. How do we water with words? Encouragement. Speaking words of encouragement to a person is like water is to a plant. We have to have encouragement. The Lord made us social creatures that depend upon each other. He made us as “one body.” We need each other. And husbands especially need the encouragement of their wives.
But what is true encouragement? It is truth that gives us courage to do the right things. It is like clear cool spring water that makes a seedling grow into a tree. It is not false compliments that lift up the pride and flesh. It is not full of processed sugar and artificial colors. Clear cool water is what makes a tree grow, not Kool-aid.
So, what good things can we say to our husbands that will encourage them to grow more in their walk with God? What gifts does he have from the Lord that you can say, “Well done!” about? Begin to look for the seeds of God in him, and water those with your words. Not only will he flourish, but the way you see him will change also. And soon, if not already, you will look at your hubby and you will be saying, “He is my hero.”
I just wanted to leave a comment since no one seems to be answering my e-mails. I claimed my prize (“Pure” from the spring giveaway) but never got a response, sent another e-mail asking if you got my address and never got a response, and now I don’t know if the book is even on its way (or if it is, how long will it take to get here?) If you could please let me know, that would be great.
Thank you!
My blog has been hijacked again, so if you get any weird comments supposedly from me, please delete them.
I LOVE your blog! This is the very reason I blog…I am 43 and realize that I am now not only looking older women to be mentors, but have younger women looking to me. I want to be as effective face to face in my daily life as I am online. SO…are you the face behind WFW? I am very, very new to blogging and LOVE WFW, have participated for the past two weeks, but I am realizing that I’m not really “doing it right”, lol! I need to learn how to “link back” so I can be a more effective team player! Please, teach me how to link back, so I can do it right next week, THANK YOU!