In the early hours of man's existence, God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make for him an helpmeet for him" Genesis 2:18. The beautiful garden would not have been a paradise without Eve. What a lonely existence man would have had without woman. Man has need for companionship, affection, empathy, procreation. It is not good that man should be alone. Naturally, this applies to woman, too.
Home is one of the sweetest and fondest words enshrined in human affections. Woman's greatest joy can come in making a happy home for her husband and children. It is very difficult to overestimate the worth of a good woman. Solomon recognized the virtues of a good woman and man's inability to get along without them. He said, "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies, the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land" Proverbs 31:10-31.
In Proverbs we also find such statements as "he who findeth a wife, findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor of the Lord" Proverbs 18:22. And "house and riches are the inheritance of fathers, and a prudent wife is from the Lord" Proverbs 19:14. We should not cease in the giving of thanks to the Lord if we have found a prudent wife. How fortunate we are if we have mutual love and companionship in our homes. If we do not have such a home, may God help us to achieve one.
The Bible says love is as strong as death. Jealousy is cruel as the grave.
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. (Solomon 8:6-7). Solomon also said live joyfully with thy wife, whom thou lovest, all the days of the life of thy vanity (Ecclesiastes 9:9). If the home is not a happy place, someone has failed. Peter gave us instructions on how to live together harmoniously. He said, "Husbands, dwell with them (your wives) according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of live, that your prayers be not hindered" II Peter 3:7. She is not weaker in character and intellect, but she is weaker physically and man must understand her needs and limitations. He must also be aware of her ability to help him. He must also use his abilities in helping her. Wise men show an interest when their wives speak up, and weigh their wisdom, for many times their wisdom out-weighs that of their mates. Sometimes we rob ourselves of the happiness our heavenly father intended for us because we have not learned to enjoy the companionship of our Godly mates.
Pitiful is the man or woman who exploits his mate and reveals secrets that should be kept between themselves. It is unbecoming and certainly not Christ like to downgrade the opposite sex in story telling and off-color jokes. We are God's creation. Each with a specific purpose and work. We're not in competition, and the Christian woman is not seeking a false liberation, but is happy and fulfilled in the role that God gave her. Many of our frustrations are mental as well as physical ills, brought upon us by a lack of love and companionship in the home. Our greatest joy should come to us through our working together as husband and wife, and praying together with common interests and common goals. God has given us laws for our well-being, for God knows much better than we the things that are good for us and the things that make us happy (Matthew 6:8; Ephesians 5:25).
Although you may deeply appreciate your wife, it can mean so much to the both of you if you will take the time to let her know it. Tell her how you feel and show her in a thousand little ways. It can mean so much. It is unfair and unchristian to take her for granted. Married people owe each other more than just a home, food and clothing. Your time, your attention and your interests are also extremely important in maintaining a happy relationship. Why not set aside a night each week for just the two of you to be together, away from family, friends and responsibilities. Go out for dinner or, if finances are a problem, just for a walk. Leave all your other responsibilities at home and don't even allow them to be mentioned. Believe it or not, the world will still be turning when you get back, and the happiness that such times will bring to both of you will be well worth the effort.