What Moms Should Teach Their Daughters to Look For In a Boy

This is a follow-up to the last article in which Susan Merrill wrote about what moms should teach their sons to look for in a girl.  I have outlined what Ms. Merrill listed with comments of my own.

1.    Look for a gentleman.  Polite gestures reflect an inner dignity you will want in a husband.  Impoliteness suggests a thoughtless and inconsiderate heart.

2.    Look for honor.  How does he treat his parents?  If he does not honor them, chances are he will not honor you as his wife.  Paul told children to honor their parents that it may be well with them (Eph. 6:3).

3.    Look for respect.  He will treasure you and your body as belonging to your future husband alone.  A respectful man will treat “…older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, in all purity (1 Tim. 5:2).

4.    Look for integrity.  His morals mean something to him and he lives them out in his daily life and not just when you are around.

5.    Look for responsibility.  He isn’t perfect and will make mistakes.  When he does he will take responsibility for his actions.

6.    Look for hard work.  If a man does not work and provide for his family, he is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5:8).  An indolent person makes for a sorry husband and father.

7.    Look for love.  Genuine love is more than an emotion.  It is an act of the will.  He will show love not only by his words, but also by his actions.  Read 1 Cor. 13:4-7 and insert his name where the word “love” is found.  If he possesses these traits, then it is true love.

8.    Look for faith.  As mentioned in the previous article this is the most important.  Choose a man who will lead you and your family spiritually that you may serve God together and inherit eternal life.

What Moms Should Teach Their Sons to Look For In a Girl

I recently came across an article written by Susan Merrill with the above thought in its title.  The article contained some suggestions that I thought would be helpful to parents and I include the suggestions below with additional comments.  I’m sure there are other suggestions that you feel would be beneficial.  If so, I would appreciate your sharing them with me.

1.   Look for a lady.  She conducts herself in a very respectful manner.  She dresses modestly and is kind and considerate of others.

2.   Look for inner beauty.  She emphasizes the development of her character and not just her outward appearance.  The      apostle Peter wrote, “Let not your adornment be merely external…but let it be the hidden person of the heart” (1 Pet. 3:3,     4).

3.   Look for thoughtfulness.  She remembers the small details you have shared with her.  She is also observant of the needs            and interests of others.

4.   Look for respect.  If she doesn’t show respect for her parents, it is unlikely she will have respect for her husband either.             Paul said,       “Let the wife see to it that she respect her husband” (Eph. 5:33).

5.   Look for gentleness.  The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but gentle toward all (1 Tim. 2:24-25).  Such a            disposition is a needed quality for every mother as she patiently trains the children.

6.   Look for selflessness.  She is not focused on herself, but is compassionate in her response to the needs of others.

7.   Look for joy.  Her happiness comes from a right relationship with God and does not depend on her circumstances.

8.   Look for faith.  This is the most important of all.  If she genuinely loves the Lord more than anyone or anything else, all    these other traits will come naturally