> > Can I ask you in what ways you believe the husband *should* act as head of the house, then? I'm interested because I have only ever seen it described in terms which you have now said you don't consider necessary to this belief. If you don't mean roles and responsibilities in the home, what do you mean?
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> Well, first and foremost, as a Christian husband and father I am to be the *spiritual* leader of my home. This means I am responsible to promote a climate in my home where both I and my wife can learn more about and grow closer to God. I'm also responsible for the instruction of my son. I am to love my wife above all others, putting her second only to God. I am to love her sacrificially, putting her needs above my own at all times. When I fail at any of these duties, I am accountable before God.
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> I have a lot of freedom within that responsibility to make sure things get done the right way within my home. I'm responsible for the teaching and proper discipline of my child, yet my wife has to do most of that teaching and disciplining while I'm at work. Speaking of work, I have a responsiblity to provide for my family. I'm not against my wife having a job and working if she wants to (she did at one time; now she chooses to stay home and be a full-time mom & homemaker) but I am the one that God requires to make ends meet for my family, not her.
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> I'm still learning what it means to be a husband and father. Remember, I've only been at this for three and a half years now. I sometimes feel like I'm learning new things about my proper role in the home on a daily basis. But I trust that as long as I'm faithful to *try* my best to be a godly husband and father, God will take care of the rest and keep me from making any fatal mistakes, as I learn along the way.
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> Grishny

Thank you. It would be insulting your beliefs to sound as though my approval of them matters, but I must say, that's the first time I've ever heard this particular belief explained in such a way that I felt I *could* approve of it. And it's infinitely preferable (for me) to the usual way that line seems to be interpreted.