10 Areas I Need To Improve As A Husband

Last night my family went out for what was to be a nice, quiet dinner at a local pizza restaurant.  Unfortunately we sat in a booth next to a couple arguing…very loudly.

Here is what I picked up:

• The man had left his wife and kids.
• The lady was in counseling.
• He wanted to discuss the past.  She wanted to deal in the present.
• He was very quiet.  She was very loud and crying.
• She ultimately said, “That is why your kids hate you!”

Trust me.  I was not listening to their conversation.  The lady was just extremely upset and was very noticeable.  Since our booth was next to their’s and the man and I were back-to-back, I was expecting to get wet at any moment as she was liable to throw a drink at him.

My thought was that my shirt will dry.  They have bigger issues.  Finally, she stormed out.

I had several thoughts about that exchange:

1. That lady is someone’s daughter.  As a father, I would not desire that quality of life for anyone’s daughter.  
2. How did it get that bad?
3. Only Jesus could help that family.
4. It made me re-evaluate myself as a husband because I don’t ever want to be in a public place having that type or level of conversation.

With that as a backdrop, the following are 10 areas I need to improve as a husband.  Notice all of these fall under the headings of needing to be less passive and/or a better servant leader.

1. I need to pray more specifically for my wife and with my wife.
2. I need to watch less TV.
3. I need to be more attentive.
4. I need to help more with the dishes and household responsibilities.
5. I need to take better care of my health.
6. I need to be more proactive in my daughter’s education.
7. I need to be more engaged in behavioral issues.
8. I need her to see me read the Bible more.
9. I need more date nights.
10. I need to give her the margin to have more time by herself.

Men, that is my list.  Each relationship is different.  What would be on yours?  More importantly, what would your wife say should be on this list?

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