I'm his helper...not the other way around!

It has been an exciting week of fasting for me. Each year, my church commits the first full week of January to join together in a solemn assembly.

Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land of the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.  ~Joel 1:14 (ESV)

Want to know more about solemn assembly, head over to this post.

Anyway, I have been diligently in the word of God, praying, and spending devotional time with my husband. We have used the time wisely as we were not distracted by entertainment/media or hovering over a plate of food.

This year, I decided to read a book during my time of solemn assembly and am so glad that I chose Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph.

I have experienced so many convictions while reading this book and have picked up so many tips for getting closer to God and my husband. I've chosen to add new scriptures to memory and to pray some of the prayers offered by Courtney.

One point that just beat me up yesterday is the fact that I was created to be my husband's helper...it's not the other way around.

Then the Lord said "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."  ~Genesis 2:18 (ESV)

Now, I know that as wives, we've probably all heard and read this verse before. But what stood out to me is how many times I just want my husband's help around the house. I think of all the times I've asked him to wash the dishes, fold some clothes, sweep the living room, take out the trash, take care of something on my car just to help me out. I also think of the future and a child being introduced into our home and how I'll probably want him to help more as we manage feedings, diaper changes, and all the other stuff that comes along with a newborn. I think of friends and life group members who just want their husband to help them out a bit in the home and with the kids.

And then Courtney points out Genesis 2:18 and says:

It is hard for women to sit back and simply assist their husbands.  We are tempted to lead them, boss them, and criticize them. Often we expect them to take care of themselves and us, be tidy, and help us. But in actuality they are not our helpers. We are their helpers. God desires that they be servant leaders, but whether they are actually doing that should make no difference as to our attitude of being their helpers.  ~Women Living Well, p. 57-58 

So, as much as I want help from my husband, I am charged with the fact that if I see myself and my marriage in Genesis 2:18, that God made me to be a helper fit for my husband...not the other way around. So, I'm taking Courtney's advice to know my husband (and where he needs/wants help), not comparing my husband to anyone else's husband (or any other man), and not waiting for my husband to "deserve" to be helped.

My prayer is that I will always have an attitude of helpfulness and be looking for ways to meet the needs of my husband. I pray that whether my husband chooses to be the servant leader that God has called him to be or not, that I will choose to be his helper as I seek to glorify God in my marriage.