Another "I'd Like to Kiss the Inventor" Post

Mrs. Beaver:

In June I posted about my fondness for the invention of Skype. Just now I found myself thanking God for another fairly recent (all things are relative--I'm 50 years old!) technical development.

Texting can be a great blessing to a marriage! Yes, texting! Mr. Beaver and I have fallen into the habit of sending each other a few little love notes throughout the workday. We still use texting for the mundane necessary task of keeping in touch to help keep the family functioning, but we also use the communication tool for ROMANCE!

What an encouragement it is to receive a note of adoration from your spouse! And, for me, purposing to be creative in sending "sweet little nothings" to Mr. Beaver requires that I rehearse in my own heart and mind the countless ways in which I am deeply blessed to be his wife. Boy, is that a good exercise in midst of the demanding daily-ness of life!

Sending tender words a few times a day helps beautify our 28-year-old marriage, and the state of our marriage matters. It matters a great deal, in fact. First, the strength and beauty of our marriage is our children's primary source of security. Some day we pray Christ will take that place in their hearts, but until that time our union is that to which they look to know that they can successfully face their struggles in this life. We have 12 (soon to be 16) children watching us.

Second, the state of our marriage is either going to encourage our children to marry someday or drive them to another option. And I don't just mean being single. Living with someone? Developing a relationship with a person of the same gender? As I said, the state of our marriage matters a great deal.

Finally, our culture is watching. Our culture has written off the marriage of one-man-to-one-woman-for-a-lifetime as an out-dated institution. But that's NOT what the Bible says! So, our job as Christians is to show the world that matrimony, which was designed BY God to be a picture of the relationship between His Son, Jesus, and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33), is a wonderful place to spend a lifetime. The state of our marriages will either endorse or mock our witness for Christ. The health of our marriages matters a great deal.

Now I realize as I write this that romantic texting won't be for everyone. Not every husband will want his pocket to vibrate that many more times each day. However, can I please encourage you, wives, to try a bit of romantic texting before guessing at your hubby's preference. You just might be surprised at his response. He may just be hungering to know that you're glad you married him. And, I know, that the principle for lovey-dovey texting is biblical. In Ephesians 5:33 (NASB) Paul emphatically states:

"...the wife must see to it that she respects her husband."

So, wives, if your husband would prefer that you express your ardor for him in some way other than texting, pray for the Lord's wisdom. Ask Him to show you other methods or tools you can use to encourage and build up your man. I know God will answer your plea. He was the one who issued the command that we respect our men. And what He commands, He enables, if we'll only ask Him for the help.

All that said, I'm off to text a few words of admiration to my beloved! If you run into the inventor of texting, give him my heartfelt thanks!