Men, are you willing to meet the challenge to treat your lady, like a gentleman would? And not just on special occasions, like Valentine’s Day, but every day? - Clint Decker
When I was a teenager my mom and I were out doing some errands when we stopped to head into a store. As we approached the building, I opened the door and walked in. Moments later I looked to my side, and my mom was not there. I turned around and found her standing outside on the other side of the door. When I walked back to her, I quickly found out what the problem was. Me! My mom was waiting for me to open the door for her. Not that she was injured or weak by any means. Nope! She was a very strong woman in many ways. Rather, she was trying to teach me how a gentleman is to treat a lady. I failed terribly! She also tried to teach me to eat my French fries with a fork. I failed there too. (Image from psychalive.com)
It took a while, but eventually I caught on, and was grateful for what she taught me. We have two great-granddaughters living with us, and I am doing the reverse with them. When we go into a building I say, “Okay girls, I need you to wait beside the door for me.” Then I will come and say, “You are queens and a gentleman always opens the door for his queen.” Sometimes it does not go so well with the older great-granddaughter. She will say, “I don’t need a man to open the door for me!” I need more time to work on that one.
Where does the idea of men acting like gentlemen and treating women like ladies come from? Read these words, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it…” (Ephesians 5:25-29) The concept of being a gentlemen in how a man treats a lady comes from God. He further states, “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman…” (1 Peter 3:7) How is a husband or boyfriend to honor his beautiful lady? Here are three ways that partially come from others.
Courtesy. Open the door for your lady, letting her enter first. Walk on the side closer to traffic, to protect her from any danger as vehicles drive by. Let her order first at a restaurant and always pay the bill. Help her with her coat. Offer to help carry any items she has.
Communication. Put down your cell phone, turn away from your video game and give your wife or girlfriend your full attention when she is talking. Genuinely compliment her to be an encouragement. Never use profanity toward her, or in her presence. Instead, let your words toward her be filled with graciousness and gentleness.
Consideration. Never lie to your lady. Respect her boundaries. When she says “no”, then honor that. Be reliable. When you give your word to her, then keep it. Have a sense of decorum in her presence, by stopping with the bodily noises. Be considerate enough to refuse being drunk in her company. Defend her at all costs from anyone who raises an evil hand toward her or who throws a vile word in her direction.
Men, are you willing to meet the challenge to treat your lady, like a gentleman would? And not just on special occasions, like Valentine’s Day, but every day? Women, are you willing to let him?
I realize what I am writing is controversial in light of the confusing gender roles we have today. What is a man? What is a woman? This is not confusing with God. He provides perfect clarity on this. Through the power of God, you can become the gentleman and lady God has called you to be.
A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will help men to be gentlemen and women to be ladies. Bring us to treat one another with a sense of honor in our relationships. And where we are weak, forgive us and enable us by your Spirit to live as we ought. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment