What I Expect From my Daughters Husband

As a father, it is tough to think about your daughters husband.  My daughter is ten years old and growing up fast.  It seems like yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital.  I remember my parents telling me that time will go fast when you have kids.  My parents were right about time flying fast.  I cannot believe that my daughter is over half way to becoming an adult.  As a father, one of the hardest things is thinking about giving your little girl away to another man.

This weekend was my brother's wedding.  I watched as my sister-in-law's father gave her away to my brother.  That moment hit home for me.  As a parent that is one of the happiest times in your life as well as one of the saddest.  Since I am quite a few years away from having to do this with my daughter, I thought that it would be a perfect time to lay down some ground rules.  I titled this blog, “what I expect from my daughters husband.”  I have no idea who God will put in my daughters life or who she will eventually marry.  Ultimately the choice is up to her.

Being a father comes with great honor and duty.  It is my job to show my daughter what a husband looks like by the example that I show her.  How I treat my wife, to how I behave around other people.  After doing this for quite a few years, I have developed a list of things that I expect from my daughters husband.

My expectations for my daughters husband.

1. My daughters husband must love God first and foremost.  Not only say that they love him, but show it through the way they conduct their self.
2. He must love my daughter above himself.
3. My daughters husband must run his household with an emphasis on God.  Everything he does should point back to the word.
4. He must pray with my daughter.
5. My daughters husband must attend Church.  He must understand the importance of surrounding his family with other believers.
6. He must not only provide for her physical needs but emotional needs as well.
7. My daughters husband must listen to my daughter and be patient with her.
8. He must show my daughter the same grace that God has shown us.
9. My daughters husband must seek wise council from elders in his life.
10. When he becomes a father, he must show my grandchildren what it means to be a Godly man.

Here are some Bible verses that are meaningful to me in regards to the above expectations.

1. Matthew 6:33 NASB But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
2. Philippians 2:3 NASB Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
3. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
4. Romans 12:12 NASB  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
5. Psalm 150:1 NASB Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
6. 1 Timothy 5:8 NASB But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
7. James 1:19 NASB This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;
8. Matthew 5:7 NASB “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
9. Proverbs 15:22 NASB Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.
10. Proverbs 22:6 NASB Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.