Dad Tired and Loving ItShembull

Loving Your Family the Way God Loves You

Several years ago, Leila and I hit a really rough spot in our marriage. If I’m totally honest, I wasn’t sure we would make it. I was young, selfish, immature, and also had no examples in my family of guys who had stuck it out. I knew that if our marriage was going to survive, we would need some help beyond ourselves. And so I swallowed my pride and booked us an appointment with a professional counselor. 

During our time together with the counselor, he said something that struck me. He shared that research showed that the feeling of “attachment” or intimacy within marriage can start fading after just 24 hours. 

This became clear to me soon after that appointment when I took my wife on a cruise for our anniversary. During our kid-free vacation, we sailed through the ocean on a romantic ship, ate way more food than we should have, laughed our heads off, and connected in ways we hadn’t in years. It was the best vacation we’d ever had together, and in my mind, it would boost our relationship for years to come. 

And yet despite it being absolutely amazing, that feeling of close attachment lasted for about 24 hours after we got home. In less than a day from our arrival back to the real world, we dove right back into the chaos of trying to raise kids and manage busy schedules. 

I learned quickly that our little vacation wouldn’t give me the freedom to coast in our marriage. My wife didn’t need a one-time gesture; she needed me to pursue her daily. 

Isn’t this what God does for us? He doesn’t just get us to repeat a fancy prayer and then tell us that we’ll meet back up in heaven one day. Instead, He pursues us with His love daily. 

As you read today’s passage in Exodus, take note of how God shows up for His people daily. Instead of just providing for them one time, He shows up every single day. 

Do you want to be a Godly husband? Do you want to love your wife and kids the way God loves you? Then chase after their hearts daily. Don’t make a onetime effort and then coast. Unloading the dishwasher once a week or arranging a fancy date a couple times a year won’t do. Instead, find small ways to pursue the hearts of your family the way God pursues yours every single day. 

Take Action: In light of God’s relentless and daily pursuit of your heart, what is one way you can pursue your wife today?