Marriage Advice Your Mom Never Gave You, Day 3 — GRITANDFAVOR.COM
Always list your husband’s name first.
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Okay… I just saw you roll your eyes. This piece of advice might sound a bit over the top BUT hear me out. Listing us as ‘Jeff and Brittney McNiell’ not ‘Brittney and Jeff McNiell’ indicates that I view my spouse as the head of the home. The “line leader” if you will. In the grand scheme of life, who is listed first doesn’t seem to matter. But I use it as a reminder to allow Jeff to lead and me to be his helpmate. I am pretty sure there is a big scary word to describe that… submission maybe?
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This isn’t about being legalistic, it’s about the opportunity to honor the position that I signed up for at the altar. When I pause to make sure I list his name first, I ask myself these things…
Who is the leader of my home?
Am I allowing him to lead even when I would do things differently?
Do my words and actions cultivate a spirit of honor and respect for my spouse?
Is there an area of my marriage that I need to repent for not submitting to my husband?
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Anytime I pause and reflect on God’s good plan for my life and marriage, I am creating space for God to change my heart and refine any resistance I have to that plan. You don’t have to love the plan to be able to trust that it is best. Nobody loves going to the gym but we all know how important it is for our bodies.
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Submission in marriage is not about being weak. It’s about being strong enough to lay down your pride and control, allowing your husband to take the lead. Check back for more on that another day.
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Read Ephesians 5:22-24, 1 Corinthians 11:3
