Finding Reason in the Misunderstandings

"Understanding and responding to the needs of your man brings about the intimacy and connection you long for."

Misunderstandings happen so often in relationships. Lat night, we had a late night visitor who needed some "time and space" and ended up at our home. My hubby probably wouldn't be the first choice for a comforter but was a first choice for an advice giver last night. I was so very proud of him for stepping up to the challenge and doing a mighty fine job. Others may not see it, but my hubby is amazing with advice. He is a great listener and has wonderful insight. I admire that about him and am so glad that he was able to use these talents for good.

Back to the topic though...misunderstandings are so common in relationships. It seems that most problems stem from them. Men and women are so different, but we need each other. God created us to complement each other and that involves getting to understand the other. This would mend a lot of things if we just tried a bit harder to understand!

The men in my life are few and far between. While reading this devotion this morning, I realized that most women have a lot more men in their life than I do. Grandpa's and brothers are just some....I had my dad, my uncles and now my hubby. I never had a brother (I did, however, gain 2 of them within 4 months) and my grandpas both passed away before I really got to know them. My dad was the one and only man in my life for a very long time. I had uncles that I was, and still am, very close to but nothing compared to my dad. When my hubby came along I didn't have all that much experience with the male species. Not really knowing all the differences between men and women, this got us into a lot of misunderstandings and long conversations about the different ways we think. It is fascinating! As I'm writing this, I am still in awe!

Here are a few differences that we face: (taken from my devotional book)

• She can't do without affection
• He can't do without sexual fulfillment
• She needs him to talk to her and hold conversation
• He needs her to be his playmate and do things with him
• She needs to trust him totally. Honesty and openness are critical
• He needs and attractive wife (taking pride in our appearance)
• She needs financial stability and support
• He needs peace and quiet at home
• She needs him to be a good father and remain committed to the family
• He needs her to be proud of him

These are just a few examples of how different we are and how different are needs are. A lot of the differences contradict each other. As you can see, as women we need to talk and have conversation and he needs peace and quiet. Just in this little need we can see how problems may arise. It is important to dig deep for understanding so those misunderstandings aren't as often. They will still creep up, but at least we can try to understand why in the process.

"Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband."
                  Ephesians 5:33