Titus 2:3-4 – In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. They are to teach what is good, so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, (HCSB)

As I was drinking my mid-morning cup of coffee (aka unfinished morning coffee reheated), I was reading someone’s social media comments about how to love your husband. Of course there is the physical love but also love in the day-to-day treatment of your husband. The comments made me think Titus 2: 3-4. Most articles I’ve read and speakers I’ve heard put the focus on verse 4, but I think verse 3 teaches verse 4. All wives have had times when our fabulous hints fell on deaf ears. We may even have had our very clear and precise words change completely between leaving our lips and arriving on our husbands’ ears. But, we ponder the mystery in private and not vent to the world. Being around a woman who is constantly criticizing her husband is embarrassing and uncomfortable but also a tutorial to young wives. Ephesians 5:33 says that women are to respect their husbands. This is the man that I vowed to love, honor, and cherish. How can I belittle a man that I cherish? How does that show honor? Proverbs 17:9 says “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” (NLT) If it separates close friends, how could it possibly strengthen a marriage? How can I be antagonistic with the man I cherish? How can I be negative, always talking about what’s wrong, with the man I love? Paul told Titus to encourage older women to teach younger women. How do you teach but by words and actions? Are my actions teaching younger wives to be encouraging or condemning? Supportive or critical? Fun or harsh? Proverbs 31:12 says that a wife should not bring harm to her husband. I read a poster that said “When my husband looks at me, let him see love, warmth, caring, commitment, support and desire.” I couldn’t find who actually said it, but I would add “and let others see those too.” I am thankful for my husband and want to live in such a way that he will be proud to call me his wife. Lord, help me to be quick to forgive and slow to criticize. May I be a living example to young wives of how to love a husband.