My husband works many hours a week, sometimes 16 per day. Sometimes he’s gone for two days at a time. I work full time too – it’s quite a juggle in my household.
Even though I don’t live out the traditional image of a stay-at-home wife and mother – serving her husband dinner as he arrives home from work, there are many ways I can still support my husband, even in traditional and biblical ways.
Making his work day easier – at home.
Getting coffee ready, making his lunch and having his work clothes ready to go are all ways I can help his time at home go more smoothly. I’m going to be honest here – this is the area that I can make the most improvements in. I am really bad at this! As a working wife myself, it is a huge struggle for me to maintain a healthy balance between taking care of him, taking care of my kids and taking care of myself.
Just this week – my husband indicated that he needed more attention from me. It was a busy week at work, I had some family obligations to attend to and of course, there was homework, bath time, dinner etc. Oh, did I mention we got a new puppy too?! I know. I know… And when he first approached me with his hurt feelings, I felt my flesh rear up – I was thinking Are you serious?! But just as quickly as my flesh responded, I felt the Holy Spirit answer and I felt convicted. He was right. With all that happened during the week, I had clearly neglected my husband. I continue to pray to God for more guidance and more conviction in the ways I can be a more attentive wife.
I’m proud to say that there are other ways that I am actually better at supporting him in his job.
I’m really good at listening.
It’s important for me as the wife/mom of the house that I create a home that feels safe and supportive. I want my husband to know that he can talk to me about his day at work and I’m not going to judge him or criticize him. I know I wouldn’t be able to do his job and so it would be really catty of me to give him advice on how to improve. Sometimes he just needs an ear. And that’s what I’m here for. I want him to know that I’m on his team – that we are in this together.
I pray for him.
When I first considered ways that I support him in his job one thing came strongly to mind – praying! Not only is he in my daily prayers, prayers of safety and protection on the road, I’ve also started praying with him – out loud. This can be intimidating and uncomfortable at first. My husband is much better at this than I am. He prays for me all the time. I receive it and go on with my day. Not that long ago – I was having a horrible day at work and venting to him about it on a break. He spontaneously began praying for me and it brought the biggest smile to face. Just this week – he was venting to me about a concern he had at work, I knew that he needed prayer but I still feel uncomfortable diving into that. But I pushed past my fear and anxiety of sounding silly and began to pray to our Father for him. I knew that brightened his day and he was proud of me.
Praying seems to keep us both accountable and creates a new level of intimacy. Praying for your husband is critical and fulfilling. And most importantly, it glorifies God. Pray for your husband and expect to be blessed!
At the end of the day, it’s important for both of us know that we are in this together. We are a team. It’s important for me to remember than I was created to serve. If I can make his day easier by making his coffee, listening to his concerns and praying for him when he needs it, I know that our relationship will bear good fruit and that our Father will be pleased. My most cherished desire is to hear – well done, good and faithful servant.