In his book, The Fine Art of Friendship, Ted Engstrom tells of a man named Joe. He could take no more of his wife of three years. He no longer thought of her as attractive or interesting. He considered her a poor housekeeper who was overweight. Joe didn’t want to live with any longer. He was ready to divorce his wife. Before going to a judge to get the papers written and signed, he made an appointment with a psychologist. He wanted this advice on how to make life so difficult for his wife that she would agree immediately to the divorce.

Engstrom wrote, “The psychologist listened to Joe’s story and then gave this advice. ‘Well, Joe, I think I have the perfect solution for you. Here’s what I want you to do. Starting tonight when you get home, I want you to start treating your wife as if she were a goddess. That’s right – a goddess! I want you to change your attitude toward her 180 degrees. Start doing everything in your power to please her. Listen intently to her when she talks about her problems, help around the house, and take her out to dinner on weekends. I want you to literally pretend that she’s a goddess. Then, after two months of this wonderful behavior, just pack your bags and leave her. That should make her feel absolutely horrible!”

“Joe thought it was a wonderful idea. That night he started treating his wife as if she were a goddess. He couldn’t wait to do things for her. He brought her breakfast in bed and had flowers delivered to her for no apparent reasons. Within three weeks the two of them had gone on two romantic weekend vacations. They read books to each other at night, and Joe listened to her as never before. It was incredible what Joe was doing for his wife. He kept this up for the full two months.”

The psychologist called Joe at work one day. “Joe, how’s it going? Did you file for divorce? Are you a happy bachelor again?”

“‘Divorce,’ cried Joe, ‘are you kidding? I’m married to a goddess? I’ve never been happier in my entire life!’”

Men, let’s take this advice to heart this week. Let’s treat our wives as goddesses. Let’s go out of our way to listen to them, do work around our houses without being asked, bring them flowers and take them for walks – holding their hands.

None of us are perfect as individuals – nor are our marriages perfect.  As we work together to maintain our love and a strong marriage, our homes will be a good environment for growing and happy children.