How would you feel if your husband described you as the source of his “boost?” That’s exactly what Mitt Romney did when talking to George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America last week.
George asked if Governor Mitt has any rituals or cues to help him when he faces one of the most pivotal events of his life: the Presidential Debates, beginning October 3rd. He mentioned his wife, admitting that, “Ann always gives me the advice as I get ready to go up on the stage and offers a few words of encouragement.” After all, if a wife knows her man best, it makes sense for her to inject some words of wisdom and well chosen words of encouragement. Maybe God uses a wife to deliver confidence-building words to the heart of a man in a moment of crisis or promise.
A wife holds divinely appointed potential to breathe fresh wind into the sails of her husband when he faces a new challenge.
“The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.” (Prov. 31:11-12)
A husband won’t look to his wife in a moment of crisis or promise, unless he has absolute trust in her. If he can be sure she will only act for his good, will never do anything to undermine him, and will remain worthy of his confidence all her life, he will look to her for “the boost” he needs. What a privilege.
I doubt any of my readers will ever wring her hands, while her husband debates national policy in hopes of winning a presidential election, but perhaps our power to empower could be the deciding factor. Maybe our husbands would do greater things if we were more intent on supporting them. After all, there’s at least one man who aspires to the highest office in the land who admits about his wife, “I look to her. And when she’s smiling and confident, that gives me the boost I need.” He may be the candidate, but she’s the boost! And what’s a leader without a boost?
Could your husband say you give him “the boost” he needs?
10 ways to give your husband a boost
- Be there at his important moments
- Be at your best so he can be too
- Be informed about what he tackles
- Be affirming through your facial expressions
- Be prayerful as he faces his challenge
- Be physically affirming before and after
- Be positive when he asks for feedback
- Be truthful in love about his imperfections
- Be unconditional in your acceptance of him
- Be a guardian of his dignity in and out of his presence
Would you join me today in taking a moment to see a Compassion child who needs prayer? It could be the “boost” that begins a ripple effect in their life. This month we’re focusing on our influence in the lives of children with Compassion International. Please click and pray with me.
It was my honor to be my Will’s boost in his life as he faced new challenges. I loved that he would come to me and share his heart and ask me for prayer and give me the blessing of being able to encourage him and pour belief into him. I miss that so much. The awesome thing about our marriage was that we did that for each other and pointed each other closer to Jesus at the same time. I will always miss being able to do that for him. I hope that I can help other women, who still have their husbands with them here on earth, to understand what a precious opportunity they have to lift up their husbands and be their “boost” or biggest encourager.
God bless you for sharing things like this. The keys to being there for our husbands which is God’s gift and precious ministry he has given each of us.
Blessings!
Mary Joy
I know you did, Mary Joy, and I loved watching that take shape in your marriage. Your Will was a blessed man, and I could hear how you were “mutually boosting” each other! Your children have seen that, too, and it will be a legacy you pass on to them. Will’s leadership in your family will live on in the way you care for your children and in the way they grow. You have a unique opportunity to remind all of us that we need to treasure our husbands daily.
Love and prayers for peace to you!