Thread by @earthworkrr

There's this young couple I have known for a while. I see the way they dote on each other.

It is very rare you see the husband without the wife and even if the wife appeared first, the husband was never far behind.

During church service you would see them eyeing each other.

I recall during a Sunday Service in which his wife was to take the Bible Reading, I could remember him blowing her a phantom kiss as she climbed the pulpit.

It was her blush and smile that made me look at him only to see him making faces at her.

It was beautiful.

As Men's fellowship leader back then, I teased him a lot and told him in all honesty how many men are learning how to treat their wives.

He sighed and said "Bro., it was not always like that initially. Our first year as a married couple was a disaster".

"Let me tell you a story and then you would understand why I cherish this woman so. I know that God has said a husbands should love their wives but I never understood that love". He said.

Deep down, I was always afraid I would make a bad husband and an even terrible father.

During our first year, this man you are looking like this had been celibate for 4 years since I met my wife.

No other woman interested me - NONE! However, as I got married, my ex came out of nowhere and we opened communication.

I told myself "Nothing can happen".

I was wrong

"How is married life? She asked.

"It's been fine and interesting... so far". I answered.

"I'm glad to hear that and I wish you well. I called to congratulate you and let you know - I miss you". She finished.

The way my heart started beating eh?!

I could have just said "Thank you" or laughed it off but Bro, I told her - "I miss you too" - and I fell into the slippery slope.

During our first year, things were rough. I had a job but it wasn't paying well and my wife who just moved down didn't have a job.

I was frustrated and after some months into our marriage, I started drinking secretly - Baileys, Amarula, Eggovin and then one day, it became something else.

I became bolder and not long, my ex and I were involved in phone sex with the only thing keeping us was meeting secretly.

My wife noticed my attitude and how I would stay in the parlour chatting with ex till very late. She noticed the smell of alcohol but I told her I had a penchant for an ice cream that had alcohol in it.

She knew.

She knew I had slipped and she knew there was a strange woman.

She asked me if anything was wrong and though I wanted to tell her, but I said "Nothing".

Bro, you see that word "nothing", it is the greatest lie any human can tell. I had a door to speak and just be at peace but I kept lying.

I would get to the house, park the car...

...while the engine was on and be doing video call with my ex who I forgot to mention was also married.

My wife just like many women is intuitive. She always knows when I am around and she would call and say "Why haven't you entered the house".

Our flat was at the back o!

Then one night, I noticed my wife would wake up to pray at about midnight. She would kneel by the bedside, hold my feet and start praying in tongues.

In between prayers, she would call my full name and declare, you will not wander out of purpose neither will you walk in error.

Guilt will be eating me as she prayed and sometimes I would remove her hand but she persisted.

One night, I had drank and went to bed early. I was so far gone that I didn't feel her hand on my leg but even as I slept, I had a vision and I will quickly summarise it.

He took a deep sigh and continued.

"I saw a path before me and I saw Jesus leading me through that path and in that same vision, I saw that I had started walking on thorns and thistles.

I was bleeding with many scratches from my thighs down as I walked that path.

Then I saw my wife and she said "Jesus! Help your son. Please help him and as I saw her saying these words, I raised my hands and cried - Master, Help Me! I am lost! Please help me.

Immediately, I was aligned to the path, healed and refreshed.

I woke up to see my wife sobbing.

It was heartbreaking. I pulled her into an embrace and apologised.

I thought I could stand on my own but I had fallen.

I had fallen brutally.

My prayer life changed and my focus was on Jesus. Since then I purposed in my heart to love my wife as Jesus loves me.

Everyday, I ask the Holy Spirit to teach me how to love my wife and one of the things He said was:

"Lay hands on her and declare what you want in and for her. Never let a day pass without you laying hands and blessing her".

I learned. Even when we have disagreements...

... it was the laying of hands that finished it no matter what.

So Brother, I know the power of a praying wife and I would never take it for granted. When men have issues, I have come to understand that drinking and other vices are intentional.

They look for anything...

...to justify their actions.

Even Believers would rather slip back into certain vices that go to God and address the matters in prayers.

My wife and I have dealt with what many would have called insurmountable challenges and we have won.

We have drank Pap alone and laughed.

We have prayed our way out of debts into abundance. We have wrestled in the Spirit that we give birth to great realities.

We are not perfect but when I remember that event, Bro, there is no one I want to spend eternity with.

I married my wife and her prayers made me a good man.

"My husband material is plenty o". He finished with a laugh.

"Esss, what are the two both of your discussing dia" his wife chimed in.

We laughed, teased and I blessed them.

That encounter shaped my relationship with my wife. People see my wife and I and smile but I learnt!

Dear Believer,

Pray over every relationship including marriage. This applies to sisters and brothers. Pray! Spend time using the word of God to mould your reality.

Don't bring ideologies into your marriage. View spiritual things from God's word.

Do not use the wisdom of this world in your marriage. Everything is not fire and fire... like they say in Warri - Na small small dem de drink soup wey hot.

Lastly, there is someone who will read this thread and you have been dealing with a marriage disappointment...

...please, reach out and let me pray for you. Your pain is only delaying God's replacement for you.

And dear Brother, do you want to do better as husband and head? I am here, please DM.

I love you and above all things I pray that your soul prospers in Jesus name.

@earthworkrr