What Makes a Good Husband? Does He Pass the Camel Test?

The neat thing about life is that there are second chances, like helpings. Some of us like third and fourth chances in life or helpings.  I met someone who said, "Mary, you already had a good relationship, I want my first good relationship." My husband's aunt lost three husbands by the time she reached 70 years old, I don't know if she is stopping or not, but I know people who have married at 80 years old.

No point in limiting God in life. Jesus could do no miracle in his home town, but heal a few sick folk because of their unbelief. If life ends at 40, 50 or 60 then many of us are in trouble. I have a friend who was married the first time at 50 years old. She had some adjusting to do, but I believe she is doing fine. Sort of like my new cowboy boots, is they give me blisters on my feet because they are not broken in. My husband was well broken in by the time I got him.

Just got my car paid off two weeks ago. I had paid it off and then refinanced a small portion because I needed the money. My goal is to get out of debt except for my house and I know there is an entity out there that does not like that.   Right now my daughter is driving one of my cars so I'm glad I have two cars. Her car was totaled by a hit and run driver but it looks like the settlement is going to come in more than she paid for her car. Hard to replace what she lost though because she got a great deal in life. Also, she has been going to a chiropractor.

Sometimes it's hard to replace loss, but it's not impossible. Only when it comes to children, I've heard that children are irreplaceable and I agree and it's not something that I want to experience in my lifetime.

We have the story of Eliezer’s challenge to God. Abraham sent Eliezer off with a task, “Find a suitable wife for my son, Isaac.” Rebecca was a woman of nobility-- she was not a poor servant girl used to lugging water. Rebecca's choice to water all ten camels (Genesis 24:10) showed she had a servant's heart (willing and good attitude) and a strong work ethic.

Genesis 24:12-14 You, Lord, are the God my master Abraham worships. Please keep your promise to him and let me find a wife for Isaac today. The young women of the city will soon come to this well for water, and I’ll ask one of them for a drink. If she gives me a drink and then offers to get some water for my camels, I’ll know she is the one you have chosen and that you have kept your promise to my master.

Many believers will not fulfill their full potential --their dreams and destiny in life because of character flaws. Jesus told us that the greatest in the kingdom of God will be a servant to us all (Matthew 23:11). I find if you look at a man and the way his father treated his mother --pretty much that is the same treatment he will give to us even as a Christian. If his father did not respect and honor his mother, most likely the treatment will pass on when we marry.

1 Cor. 13 is a good example of a love relationship and it says that love is not rude, it's not puffed up, it does not seek its own way, it's not easily angered, it prefers or honors a person's needs above its own needs.

It's like building a model car in that we see modeled in front of us growing up of what a relationship is. One man said that his first marriage, he was married to his father and his second marriage, he became his father. The Bible says that we are to "imitate" our heavenly father, not our earthly parents.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Ephesians 5:1

One reason I picked my husband is because he had a servant's heart like Jacob had in working for Rachel when I was dating him. He came over my home and did things around my house (fixed things) even without asking him. He also went over and installed cabinets in his ex-wife kitchen for her. His sister told me she felt guilty that they were having a cookout outside at his ex-wife's home, while he was slaving in the kitchen. Who does that for their ex-wife? I consider that I would not want to lift a finger for an ex-spouse.

He overcame a lot of his father's hang-ups. His father is a Christian, but he has male superiority attitudes about roles in the house. I saw my husband overcome these. When my mother-in-law had open heart surgery at 65 years old, clothes piled up in front of the washing machine. I know that my father would have never let that happen and neither would my husband, although his own dad was like that.

Ruth also was a servant of her mother-in-law. In the Bible it talks about having “discerning of spirits” and I believe that is related to a person who has good character traits.

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Cor. 15:33

For this very reason, you must make every effort to supplement your faith with moral character, your moral character with knowledge, 2 Peter 1:5

Genesis 24:18-20: I’ll be glad to,” she answered. Then she quickly took the jar from her shoulder and held it while he drank. After he had finished, she said, “Now I’ll give your camels all the water they want.” She quickly poured out water for them, and she kept going back for more, until his camels had drunk all they wanted. Abraham’s servant did not say a word, but he watched everything Rebekah did, because he wanted to know for certain if this was the woman the Lord had chosen.