Affection: Why Waste It?

affection - Affection: Why Waste It?

The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again.” Hosea 3:1, NIV

“Claim me when we’re out in public!” “Show other people that we’re married and that you like the idea!”

Those were some of Teresa’s complaints early in our marriage. I admit that when we were in a social setting, I (David) would often withdraw to a quiet corner with a colleague or escape into a conversation with friends, leaving her to fend for herself. Teresa felt rejected and ignored when I did that, but for the longest time, I saw it as her problem. I saw her as being too insecure or clingy.

However, God showed me differently.

The Lord reminded me through the prophet Hosea that I am called to love my wife just like Hosea loved Gomer. The Lord told Hosea to return to his wife and love her again. But in order to do that he had to redeem her from slavery. He had to step into a public arena and buy his wife (Hosea 3).

As I read this passage, the Lord seemed to say, “David, Teresa needs to sense that you are ready to stand in any public arena and loudly, unashamedly proclaim that she is your wife. Your wife needs to know that you will stand with her and never leave her.”

All those times before, I had thought I was “wasting” my affections on Teresa. I wondered what good a public show of affection would do. But I realized I had missed an incredible opportunity to express my love.

Now I realize that my displays of affection yield an incredible reward for me and my wife. Each time that I give her my arm or hold her hand in public, I remind her of my love and reassure her that I am glad she is my wife.

In what ways can you appropriately express your affection for your spouse in a public setting?