Love? your husband

Do you know that the Bible doesn't tell wives to "love" their husbands?  Titus 2:3-5 says, "older women...encourage the young women to love their husbands...being subject to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be dishonored".  However, the word love being used is phileo-brotherly love.  God doesn't tell us to love (eros) our husbands because it comes natural for us (women) to love.  He wired us that way.  Do you know what He does tell us to do?  Ephesians 5:33 "...let the wife see to it that she respect her husband."  UUgggghhhhh....loving him would be so much easier.  And there isn't a "but, if or unless" after it says to respect.  Do you mean that I have to respect him no matter how he acts?  Yes!!!  God tells us to respect our husbands because 1.  it doesn't come natural to us and 2.  it's the way he's wired to feel appreciated, loved, etc....  So, I'll give you some practical examples to try.  Don't discuss your husband in a negative way to anyone or in any public area....don't joke about his hair-loss or bulging mid-section.  Don't make any snide comments to him about his decision-making, habits, work-ethic, etc...  Make some sort of comment showing your respect like...."whatever you think is right, honey....I respect your decision."  You could also thank him for going to work for you each day...stick a note in his lunch, write it on the bathroom mirror or send him a "thank you" email.  Ex. "Thanks for going to work each day.  I respect your incredible work ethic.  You take great care of us."  God's Word says that we are to respect our husbands.  Give it a try this week and see what he thinks.  I'm going to!