Have you been watching the Olympics? Are you a fan of Alpine skiing? Bobsled? Curling? Hockey? Luge? Speed skating? I admit I like that pairs skating. Despite the men in sequins, I’m draw to the display of what it means to complement your partner.
Not complIment, but complEment. We already talked about how it blesses a guy to complIment him, but it completes a man when we complEment him.
To complement a man is to be his counterpart, to be one part of two that makes a whole. As I watch the pairs figure skaters, I see two parts coming together to make a perfect whole. Okay, not every pair is perfect. In fact, not many pairs are perfect. But when each part complements the other as a compatible counterpart, it’s perfection. You could say it’s “gold!”
“Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” (Ephesians 5:24)
We’re to move in synch, with each other, instead of independently from each other. Our moves should work to present each other at our best, without any “blemish.” We strive to be full of respect for him, knowing we are loved like he loves himself. We bring out the best in each other, and we’re a more successful couple because of it. More successful in our relationship, in our community, in our church, in our home. 
In listening to the Olympic commentary about what makes for a successful pair, I’ve noticed several common characteristics of the couples who complement each other and skate as a unit.
How successful couples complement each other
- Forgive each other when one fails
- Stay together long enough to learn
- Get good coaching
- Build on the strengths of each individual
- Observe the other’s signals closely
If couples refuse to forgive, stay together, learn, build on strengths, and observe each other, they don’t succeed. They don’t complement each other. They often end with injury, pain, and disaster.
On the other hand, when we overcome the urge to move to our own rhythm and learn to embrace the role of a counterpart, there’s a reason to celebrate! That’s golden.
