But My Husband Is Not a Spiritual Leader

“But my husband is not a spiritual leader.” I have heard more women say that than I would like to count. Jim Burns, Ph.D., and president ofHomeWardCenterfor Youth and Family, and author says, “The most important spiritual influence on a child is Mom, Dad is second.”

In light of this, what can we learn?

Mom, you are the most important spiritual influence in your child’s life!

Ladies, stop focusing on your husband and focus on what God calls you to do. You might be thinking, “Oh, that’s easy for you to say! Your husband is a pastor. You have no idea what my life is like.” While that may be true to a degree, there was a season many years ago, where my husband wasn’t going to church.

During this dark season in our lives, I got up every Sunday, got myself and our small children ready and took them to church. I asked my husband if he would like to join us. When he said no, I smiled and said okay, we will see him when we got back, and lovingly said good-bye.

When we got home I did not cram what we had learned down his throat, nor did I make him “pay” for not joining us. Come on girls, you know what I’m talking about, right? I did this every week until the day he said yes and joined us again.

Through God’s power and calling, somewhere along the way my husband ran a lap ahead of me in this spiritual marathon of life. Leaving me to shake my head and purchase new spiritual tennis shoes, and I have been running to catch up ever since.

Women of God, focus on God’s call on your life. Titus 2:4 tells us to love our husbands and to love our children.

Love your husband, show him respect, and lavish him with praise and adoration. Don’t focus on his weaknesses (do you want him to focus on yours?), but praise him for his strengths. And by doing so, this shows your children love. Every child wants to know that Mom and Dad love each other and are okay, which gives them a huge sense of security. When Mom and Dad are in harmony their world is safe.

Not everyone has a good boss but we still follow them because they are the boss. Your husband may not be perfect, but love and honor him because he is your husband. You chose him above anyone else. Treat him the way you would treat “the man you desire” and then, pray, and wait for the day when he becomes that man.

It may not happen overnight but I am willing to bet that you will become a better woman.

And the next time you hear someone say, “But my husband is not a spiritual leader,” respond by saying that what makes someone a leader is that someone follows them.