By Janis Shank
Now that I’ve got your attention, let me explain. In light of Valentine's Day and the season of celebrating love, we thought we would take a few weeks to focus on loving our husbands in some key areas. Nicole Whitacre did a great job last week setting the stage for this series by reminding us from Proverbs 31 “she...does...him...good”. I found these reminders excellent and convicting! This week we are going talk about “doing him good” through the pursuit of romance (just in time for Valentine’s Day)! We know you are pastor’s wives and are well taught in these areas, but who doesn’t need reminders and refreshment along the way? I know I do! “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely dear, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always with her love.” (Proverbs 5: 18-19) I am always amazed at God’s beautiful description of marital intimacy in this passage. Better than Shakespeare, don’t you think? On a recent personal retreat I set aside time to examine this and to ask myself: “how can I grow in being this source of delight to my husband?” God was kind to me and I came away with specific things to apply. Before we go any further let me address a common temptation. This is meant to be encouraging, not condemning! Perhaps you are a busy mom with a newborn and your body and emotions are in flux, or you have multiple little ones, or you are dealing with hormone changes on the other end of the life cycle. Or, if you are like me, you have been through a difficult season, you know, the “trials of many kinds” season, and romance hasn’t been at the top of your list. Wherever you find yourself as you read this post, promise me you won’t be condemned. Let’s view this area through the lens of glorifying God, after all, these are His Words and His idea and He is our source of grace and strength (and creativity)! Here are a few thoughts I have recently been reminded of and convicted by from this passage: I am the wife of his youth. I am the specific one God has given to my husband. That means God intends me to be this source of blessing, rejoicing and “good”! I am freshly inspired by the privilege and responsibility. As God gives good gifts for His desired ends, I want to make sure I am embracing this calling to sexually delight my husband. It is God’s will that this be exclusively my joy throughout our days together. Considering the reputation of the gospel, the reality of indwelling sin, and the overtly sensual culture in which we live, I take this very seriously. I am to fill him with delight and intoxicate him with my love. These words illustrate that I am to be fully engaged and participating in this joyful love. I especially love how the ESV study Bible footnote gives this more meaning, (Regarding “be intoxicated,” Hebrew “be led astray”-in the sense of being “swept away” with delight in one’s wife”) I love this, I am to “sweep him away” with my love” How fun! This also serves as a protection for him from being led away by the forbidden woman that Proverbs so often warns about. I want to be regularly “sweeping him away” with my love! Acting on this idea, I recently took the time to plan one date night for each month of this year and let my husband know that he will be periodically “swept off his feet”! The smile on his face was priceless! I am to intoxicate my husband “at all times” and “always”. Whoa, slow down a bit! What about the kids...and the house...my health...and the sermon he needs to preach on Sunday...! All this means is that I want to have an “open” sign hanging over all my interactions with my husband. Sharron, a dear friend of mine, described having a “Yes, lets!” attitude of heart. I want my husband to know “I am all yours” everyday, that I am a willing and available participant in intoxicating love. Not everyday holds this celebration, but I want my heart to be there nonetheless. I know this is a process for some of us, especially given the changing seasons of our lives, yet we can cultivate this eager heart right where we are. Good news...this is fun! Try it, you’ll like it! Won’t you join me this week in asking: “how can I grow in being a source of delight to my husband?” Beware, you may find yourself intoxicated!
