YOUR CHARACTER COUNTS (PART 8)

1Peter3:1-8
COURTESY IN MARRIAGE

Jesus is Matthew 19:4-6 Saith “….He which made them in the beginning made them male and female…. They are no more twain but one flesh…”
Proverbs 11:16-17 says “A gracious woman retaineth honor, the merciful man does good to his own soul…”.
Courtesy is a sign of respect and appreciation in between couples, and beyond the altar.
Love and satisfactory marriage cannot exist without mutual respect as their basis.
Courtesy in marriage is essential in Couples relationship, as oil is to the engine for maximum performance.
Marriage is one of the most intimate of all human relationship, it must be propelled in courtesy, else there will be indifference and bitterness which are little things like the constant dropping of water on a solid stone and wearing down; so also can wear down the love shining brightly on wedding day. “Familiarity breeds contempt”. It is on the rock of familiarities that many marriages are wrecked. If couples will yield to courtesies throughout life, much frictions would be avoided.
Little courtesies not only in public, but in the home counts for a great deal.
The respect for each others individuality, for possessions and privacy which are denied sometimes to the husband, but often to the wife.
Do you give apologies for lateness or omissions and errors; all those are deemed unnecessary, yet they count much on cementing a happy feeling at home.
Do you appreciate the cooking of your wife?. Does the Wife appreciate what the Husband bought on his way home?.
How do you react to comments in your discussions?.
We may not agree on some issues, fine, if it is thus, it’s a healthy situation, else someone does not have a mind of his/her own; we must come to terms and see the superior argument in love and accepting our deficiency at that point.
If this is not the case; pride is at work; giving vent to temper and irritability, so that love grows cold under nervous strains.
Both parties should keep their standard of cleanliness, smartness, charm and agreeableness.
Sexual compatibility must be balanced, no one should defraud or deny the other (I Corinthians 7:3-5).
The word “OBEY” can be replaced with courtesy and between both parties.
It is not African culture to open the car door for your wife, but it’s a good culture to copy. I hope, I can also remember to do that often, not only at special luncheon as some men would do.
Do you remember to give good gifts? Do you sponsor a dinner outside the home or make special delicacies on your anniversaries.
How repeatedly do you say “I love you”?
Isn’t that too difficult, but I think it’s a mark of courtesy to tell him/her “DEAREST, I STILL LOVE YOU”.
A genuine Christian courtesy is the outgrown of love and manifests itself in thoughtful considerations for others.
(The Recreated Vessels)