“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” (Ephesians 5:25–28, ESV)
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4, ESV)
To husband is to manage and cultivate the household as one would cultivate or till the ground.
The husband must cultivate his family garden with generous showers of love, measured rows of discipline, and nutrient-rich instruction; otherwise, noxious weeds will take over.
Whatever grows in the family–blossoms of wisdom or the noxious weeds of sin–is, more often than not, the fruit of the husband’s effort and skill in gardening his home.
This is really beautiful. I never thought of a husband cultivating his family. But it’s true! I’m enjoying these daily messages so very much. I look forward to them every day.