We recommend Emmerson Eggerichs’ book and DVD series entitled Love and Respect which expounds on Ephesians 5:33. Eggerich points out that wives may say or do things which they do not mean to be disrespectful, but which are received as disrespect by their husbands. Let me give you an example.
One morning I answered the phone. It was a friend of ours with a question that had to be answered by Bob. Without thinking I said, “Let me put Bob on,” and handed the phone to him not recognizing that he was doing something else. It was not meant to be disrespectful. Later, Bob told me that he felt imposed upon since he was not given a choice whether to put down what he was doing and deal with the issue at that very moment. He suggests to first ask: “Are you available to answer the phone right now?”
This particular example may not be an issue in your marriage. But, is the root issue a problem? In other words, are you making life easier on yourself without thinking about whether you are being considerate of your husband? You may be conveying an implied message of disrespect: “My time is more important than yours.”
Respect
