Husbands, do you understand your wife?
One of Jesus disciples, Peter, wrote these words to the early church: “Husbands, dwell with (your wives) with understanding” (1 Peter 3:7).
I jokingly say that Peter probably chuckled with he wrote that: “This will give them a run for their money!”
I heard about a man who found a Genie bottle on a beach. He rubbed it and out popped a magic genie. “Master, you have released from my confinement. I will grant you one wish.”
“I thought it was three wishes!”
“Rough economy. Only one.”
“Ok, let’s see….I’d really like to go to Hawaii, but I’m afraid to fly and I get seasick so I can’t take a boat. Could you build a bridge to Hawaii so I can drive?” asked the man.
“Oh my!” exclaimed the genie. “The depth of the ocean….the long distance….the required engineering would be unbelieveable….the cost would be prohibitive….I’ve never done anything like this! I am so sorry master, this is one wish I can’t pull off. Is there anything else you would like?”
“Well,” said the man, “Let me think. You know, I have a hard time understanding my wife. Would you be able, would it be possible, that you could help me understand my wife!”
And to this the genie replied, “Would you like two lanes or four?”
Contrary to popular opinion, I think it is possible, even simple, to understand your wife. No, I really do!
I believe Peter gives us the key in the verse I quoted above: Dwell with your wives with understanding.
You see, brothers, the key to understanding our wives is to dwell with them, She wants you to be with her. Spend time in her presence. Talk to her. Listen to her. Most importantly, read the Bible with her and pray with her.
If we do that, I think Peter’s words will ring true to us.