“This is Us”. Probably one of the most beautiful TV shows ever written. The way the stories intertwine is genius. It’s thought provoking. It’s realistic. It’s tear-jerking (I swear I cry about something in every episode). This particular episode this week was no different.
I won’t go into the details because I’m an awful storyteller and it’s too much to unpack, but one scene had me ugly crying and made me go into deep reflection.
Randall (a husband) while watching Beth (his wife) on stage whispers to his daughters, “You’re going to forget a lot about these years. But look at your mother right now and remember this: Don’t you ever forget how incredible that woman is.”
It was a beautiful scene, but it saddened me to think of how many women have not been able to experience this including myself. I know, I know, it’s just a TV show, but hear me out. These characters did not come out of thin air. I believe any characters we see are inspired by real people, real life, no matter how exaggerated it may be. I believe there are men out there, husbands who look at their wives with adoration. With admiration. That boast about them. That are proud of them. That are grateful for them.
Unfortunately, many of us have not had that.
We settle for breadcrumbs. We stay in spaces where we are not valued or loved or cared for. We are tolerated and kept around for convenience. And many of us do not know any better, due to our upbringing or childhood traumas. Or even worse, do not believe we deserve any better. We struggle with self-esteem and low-value thinking and choose men who prey on it instead of uplifting us.
Wives and future wives, I wish for you to be seen. I wish for your husband’s to boast about you. To brag about you. To love you. Care for you. Hold you. Cherish you. Desire you. Honor you. Affirm you. Validate you. Uplift you. Protect you. Provide for you. Lead you.
I know that not all women desire to be wives, but the ones that do, know what to look for in your potential spouse:
Ephesians 5:25-33: Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.
Living in Love, Hope, & Faith 