I was driving back from work today for lunch, and Eric Clapton came on the Classic Rock station. One of my favorite slow dance songs from high school came on, Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight." As I listened to the lyrics, I thought of some of my favorite outings with my own wife.

I couldn't help but think of how important words of affirmation can be for someone's self esteem. The part in the song where the woman is getting ready and asks , "Do I look alright?", probably hits home with most guys. And dare we ever say no? Of course not...yet every time my wife asks, I try to make sure I mean it whenever I answer.

The next stanza goes on to describe the man and the woman at a party. Of course the song describes people turning to see the "beautiful lady, walking around with me." Then she asks her lover, "Do you feel alright?" And then he gives the token answer that has made the song so famous.

Now let's take a look at Clapton's classic from a biblical perspective. Ephesians tells us this:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

After hearing the song, and reading these words, I realized that I sometimes take my wife for granted. After knowing all my wife does for me - even though I thank her for all the awesome tasty meals, and taking the extra time to get ready for that social occasion such as some function at work - It's easy to just always count on her being there because she always is. But I need to spend more time going out of my way to tell her how much I love her...how wonderful she is.

People tell me all the time how pretty my wife is, and I try to always remember to tell her when that happens. I think if she realizes I notice these instances, she will know that it makes me happy to hear it from others. I told her just today that the running joke, yet not really a joke, at our police department - is that all of the guys 'married up'. And you bet yours truly is going to let his wife know that he agrees he "out-kicked his coverage."

So all you guys out there, read the words form Ephesians often. How much do you truly love your wife? Christ loved the church so much that he gave His life for it. If you love your wife as much, don't just tell her, but show her. I need to work harder at this part. As the Word says, he who loves his wife loves himself.

So fellas...before her head hits the pillow, let her know how wonderful she is.