You may have heard the story about a woman who went to a lawyer.
She said, ‘I want to get a divorce.
‘I really hate my husband, and I want to hurt him. Give me some advice. I want to get his gold. I want to give him the shaft. I want to hurt him everyway I can.?
The attorney said, ‘All right, here’s what you do. For the next three months while we’re going through the divorce proceedings, don’t criticize your husband.
‘Only speak kind words to him. Build him up. Every time he does something nice, commend him for it. Tell him what a great guy he is, and do that for three months.
‘After he thinks that he has your confidence and love, hit him with the news and it will hurt him good.?
The woman thought, ‘Perfect! I can play that game!?
So she complimented her husband for everything he did.
For three months she told him what a great man he was. Eventually the lawyer called the woman.
He said, ‘I haven’t heard from you in a while. Come to my office today and we can sign the final papers.?
She replied, ‘What? I don’t want a divorce anymore! We’re planning a second honeymoon!?
I believe that when a marriage crumbles, often it’s because we’ve forgotten how to compliment and build each other up.
Let’s face it, most men want to be treated like a knight in shining armor. Most women want to be treated like a princess.
What happens over time is that we end up treating each other like Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
I love it when my wife compliments me and makes me feel like I’m the strongest and handsomest guy in the world. (Yes, handsomest is a word!)
I know I’m not, but it still makes me feel good! My wife loves it when I treat her like a princess. And yes, she is a princess!
So don’t sit around and hope that Valentine’s Day will be a happy day.
Make it happen!
‘Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience’forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.? (Colossians 3:12-14)
Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church, 6300 Clarkston Road, 248-625-1323.