The Missing Elements

     There are two main ingredients needed to build and maintain a happy marriage and they are love and respect.  A man desires respect as the leader of his household.  A woman needs love in order to function properly in the marriage relationship.  Often times both men and women miss the mark when it comes to effectively displaying these emotions to their mate.  If you are currently in a troubled marriage it may be because of the lack of unconditional LOVE and unconditional RESPECT exhibited within the relationship.  My husband and I were afforded the opportunity to read a book entitled, Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerich.  The principles discussed in this book has taken our marriage to another level.  I highly recommend that you get a copy for yourself.  Please see the cover of the recommended book below.


     It is easy for a man to withhold love from his wife.  The husband has to make a decision that he is going to show love to his wife no matter what her actions may display.  It defeats the purpose and discipline needed to control his actions, if he withholds love because she is not showing him the proper respect.  He must show his love for his wife by opening the doors for her, especially on the days when she is not so lovable.  Husbands show her that you love her by your conversation and friendship on a daily basis.  When you show her public displays of affection this also fills her love bank.

     Ladies it is your responsibility to show your husband respect rather you think he deserves it or not.  It is easy to show respect when he is doing the things that you think he should be doing.  It takes the love of Christ to show respect when his actions are not respectable.  Our flesh is conditioned to reward or punish a person based on the way we are treated.  Wives show him respect by fixing and serving him his dinner plate.  Being his biggest cheerleader and not his top critic exemplifies respect to your husband.  When you get involved with what interest him and the details of his occupation this will fill his respect bank.  Do not wait on your husband to show love first, use your emotional strength and exemplify respect first and watch the foundation of your relationship make a change for the better.