Respect and Sports

Monday, October 23, 2017 at 4:56PM
Michael and Donna Martin

By:  Donna Martin

Sporting events on television is year round and that gives wives a great opportunity to show a little respect!  The World Series is beginning soon, so here are some ideas to help you be respectful and have fun at the same time.

You may be wondering how sports on TV relates to respect.  Well, it is really quite simple.  Have you ever complained to your husband about all the time he spends watching sports?  When he starts watching baseball, football or basketball do you roll your eyes and start vacuuming in the room where he is watching television?  Have you ever been guilty of scheduling a couple's night out with friends at the exact same time that the ballgame comes on that you know he wanted to watch?  When the game starts do you feel that it is time for your husband to start playing with the kids more so you start to lecture him about it? Do you suddenly feel the urge to have a romantic night of watching a “chick flick” on the same night of the big game?  Did you know that your husband might consider all of these actions to be disrespectful?

How about surprising your husband and using the big game as an opportunity to make him feel respected and important to you.  Remember, to men respect equals love.  Here are some suggestions for making this a series of respect:

1. Find out what time the games begin. 
2. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready as if you were going on a date.  Take a shower. Slip into something sporty, fix your hair, put on cologne (if your husband likes cologne).
3. If it is a night game, make sure the kids are bathed and ready for bed before the game starts so you don’t have to miss any of the game to get them ready for bed.
4. Prepare some game day food.  If your husband likes hotdogs that would be fun for a baseball game.  You don’t have to go to a lot of trouble.  If the game time is later than dinner time just have some snacks – maybe popcorn and Cracker Jacks!  Just be sure it is something your husband will enjoy.  There will be several games so make something different for each game.  Variety keeps things interesting.
5. When it’s time for the game sit on the couch and be part of the crowd.  Cheer and boo and have fun.  Don’t criticize your husband for his enthusiasm – just join in.  If you don’t understand the game be sure and wait to ask questions during the commercials. 
6. This can be a family night with the kids or a date night if your kids are young and need to go to bed.  If your kids have to go to bed before the game is over, offer to tuck them in so your husband won’t miss any of the game, or suggest that he record it so that you can watch the rest after the kids have been put to bed.
7. Remember that these games are important to your husband, and there may be several through the years, so get ready to have some fun.

If your husband is not accustomed to having you watch the game with him he will be pleasantly surprised and will feel respected because you have taken an interest in something that interests him. He will also be relieved that you are not trying to belittle him or make him feel guilty for doing something he really enjoys.

Ephesians 5:33 says, “Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”  You will be surprised how your husband will begin to show you love when you show him respect.

P.S.   

If your husband has already planned to watch a game or two with his friends then you can show him respect by encouraging him to have fun with his friends and not complaining about it.

 (This is article #1 in a series of articles about respect.)

The Martins are available to present “Happy Together” Marriage Enrichment Events for churches and organizations.  To schedule an event call Michael at 940-735-1515. They are certified “Prepare/Enrich” Facilitators and are available to work with couples on an individual basis using the “Prepare/Enrich Assessment.”  They publish a weekly “Happy Together” Blog about family and marriage issues.  You can order copies of their new books Dancing With Death and 366 Tidbits We Have Learned in 14,610 Days of Marriage, read, and subscribe to their “Happy Together” Blog by logging onto the Martin’s website at www.happytogethermarriages.com.

 Click on the picture below to order Love and Respect and learn more about men's need for respect and women's need for love.

 

 

Article originally appeared on Happy Together Marriages (http://www.happytogethermarriages.com/).