The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you.” 1 Corinthians 12:21
Dennis Rainey
I still remember the first time I told my mom and dad, “I love you.” Being a typically ungrateful, unexpressive teenager, I found looking my parents in the eye and saying those three little words excruciating.
I also remember the first time I told Barbara I loved her. My heart was jumping wildly. Adrenaline was the only thing flowing faster than the beads of sweat on my forehead. I wasn’t sure either one of us would survive the experience!
Those are hard words to say to someone for the first time, aren’t they? Telling another person “I love you” represents risk and vulnerability. Yet there are three other words that are often even harder to express: “I need you.”
“I need you.”
Oh, at one time they flowed fairly easily from your lips. Think back to those early days of romance and intrigue. She made you laugh. He made you feel secure and stable. She brought warmth into a room. His sensitivity made you feel valued and important.
Yes, saying “I need you” came effortlessly at first. But sometime after your wedding day, the thief of familiarity can steal that sense of need. You go your own way. You think you know best. You figure you can do fine by yourself.
Isn’t it interesting that in Genesis 2:18-25, Adam had to be told he had a need? God said, “It is not good for man to be alone” (verse 18). And even after that authoritative statement, Adam still had to name a few million creatures before he realized that none of them were what he needed. His need was for someone. He needed her.
Don’t wait to be told what you already know to be true. You need her. You need him. Say it frequently and specifically.
What keeps you from easily and openly admitting how much you need your spouse? Turn to your spouse and say, “I need you.” Then share why and how you need him or her.
Ask God to give you a true perspective on your own limitations—your own dependence on Him and on each other.
http://www.familylife.com/moments/communication
