HOW TO MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE LAST
A Wife’s Guide
By Ann Benton
Day One. 32 pages. £3
ISBN 978 1 846 254 802
This helpful little book complements the Husband’s Guide and in its 32 pages addresses the important areas of expectation, differences (just what is the performance mind-set?), submission (what does it really look like?), our Biblical mandate as Christian wives.
With many years of pastoral experience to call upon, Ann observes that it is usually Christian wives that read books on marriage and they are also the first to be willing to speak about their joys and struggles. Ann draws on the wisdom of the Bible in 1 Peter and its timeless advice. She urges wives to attend to their own hearts, regardless of their husbands’ willingness or reluctance to open up in these matters. She paints a helpful picture of the true beauty every Christian wife should prioritise if she is to maintain, nourish and strengthen her marriage.
Although the booklet is of necessity a brief overview of the key issues for a Christian wife, it provides much to ponder and pray over. As Ann helpfully emphasises, it is not enough to long for a good marriage, we must pray and live consistently with the goal of being his joy and ‘his crown’ (Proverbs 12.4.)
The closing challenge of the booklet reminds each wife of the great encouragement the Lord intends her to be to her husband; enabling him in turn to be an ‘effective and happy leader in his family.’ We reject this advice at our peril and at great cost to our homes and families. We have the privilege as wives to support our husbands to be all that the Lord intends them to be; as we, by our practical submission, enable them to lead us.
This practical booklet would be helpful not only for couples preparing for marriage, but for all married couples, however long they have been married. It is easy to take our spouse for granted, or to imbibe the world’s mindset in the whole area of our relationships. With Valentine’s Day recently celebrated, it is good to be reminded of the Bible’s beautiful picture of lasting love. Buy both books together: as they are short, you might even persuade your husband to read them too, and then consider them prayerfully as husband and wife.
