There is nothing more attractive than when a strong man chooses you and bends down to be gentle, soft, and kind. He is a mighty force to everyone else who may threaten; but to you he is gentle.
THE LION AND THE CARETAKER
He is not gentle all of the time.
You catch that in the tightening of his jaw,
the wildness in his eyes.
I did not catch him,
he chooses to stay.
And that is silently honoring to me.
He requires space;
I cannot clamor on him every minute.
I smell outdoors on him as I welcome him in.
Where he goes and what he does while he is gone,
I do not know.
I try not to badger, because badgers get snapped up.
He feeds on respect,
a fruit I am just starting to find
a garnish to what he provides, that I prepare.
He beckons me towards adventure,
quickened breath, muscles used.
He calls me to come with him,
and aids me in the climb.
Leaves brush by my smiling cheeks.
His heavy arm rests on me at night.
There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
– Psalm 34:9-10 (NKJV)
The Young Lion
He seems so “manly” and capable; fun at times and even charming. But, what is missing between the lines? Accountability; true intimacy where weakness is shown; an ability to talk about his innermost feelings. He wants respect, but does he show it in return? Where is his tenderness – a tenderness only Christ can wrought in a strong man’s heart?
The Young Caretaker
She seems so put together and contemplative, even considerate and learning. But, is she strong enough to lay down her own self-sufficiency in front of the lion; showing her weakness; revealing her need to be loved? When needed, is she strong enough to stand up to the lion in righteousness?
Tools We Need to Make a Marriage Work
[su_quote]Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.
Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.
No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.[/su_quote]
Words That Stick Out for Me:
For Men/Husbands, the Lions:
Respect, Reverent, Provides Leadership, Cherishing, Love, Giving, Feeds, Pampers. His words evoke her beauty (he builds up and does not tear down).
*He is meeting needs that she needs to let him SEE.
For Women/Wives, the Caretakers or “Help-Meets“:
Understand, Support, Submit, Honor.
*She is meeting needs that he needs to let her HEAR.
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[su_pullquote]”His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her…”[/su_pullquote]
Author & Artist, Jessie Courson, created the artwork of the lion with the with a snippet from the bible verse in Ephesians 5 used in this article as the mane that surrounds the lion’s face. Purchase this shirt in The Majesty’s Men shop by clicking the photo below to choose your style, color, and sizing options!
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