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Key Bible Verse: Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing (Philippians 2:4). Bonus Reading:1 John 3:18–20

Recently our drier died, and our washing machine was on its last legs. I gave Brenda a figure to work with, and she went shopping. She returned gushing over Maytag's Neptune washer and dryer. The washer removed tough stains better than conventional washers, handled larger loads, and conserved water. The dryer would finish a load in half the usual time.

Of course, like a Mark McGwire home run, this combo landed well beyond our budget fence. Logically, I could have said no. She'd have agreed without a peep. Or I could have asked her to be fair, looking for something between the original figure and the more than $1,500 cost of the Neptune pair.

But I realized Brenda spent much of two days every week dealing with laundry. She'd done her research, and I hadn't. Why should I have the greatest say in this decision?

So I said she could go ahead. What a great decision! We bought an extra day per week for Brenda to use in more fruitful ways. Adhering to a strategy of prudent buying decisions with her input honors your wife and says "I love you" in ways you never imagined.

—Fred Stoeker in Every Woman's Desire

My Response: I've studied my wife enough to know that these things are important to her:

Thought to Apply: A selfish husband may always insist on the final verdict; but marriage involves resolving the needs of two different people.

—Cecil Osborne (counselor)

Adapted from: Every Woman's Desire (Waterbrook, 2001).

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Father, help me to please You by moving beyond preoccupation with my own needs to meeting those of my wife.

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