Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? (Paula Cole)

Photo Credit: Simon Santos, owner of video48.blogspot.com

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."  (~ 1 Peter 3:7 NIV)

 

  

Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?

Paula Cole, 1996
lyrics HERE

Sometime in the past, a woman envisioned a happy marriage with the man of his dreams-- a sort of a hero. When she found him, she naturally said 'Yes' to marriage. Now it's too late; she discovers that she is married to an irresponsible and insensitive man.

The lines "I will do the laundry if you pay all the bills" and "I will raise the children if you pay all the bills" seem to indicate that the woman was compelled to look for ways to cover family expenses sadly  leading to the neglect of her domestic and child-rearing responsibilities. It is not because her husband's income is not enough but because he squanders much on his vices:

We finally sold the chevy
When we had another baby

And you took the job in Tennessee

You made friends at the farm

And you joined them at the bar

Almost every single day of the week

And at home, the wife feels neglected:

"I am wearing my new dress tonight
But you don't, but you don't even notice me"

This wife is not perfect for sure. It sounds to me that she is considering divorce ("Say our goodbyes") which in her case is not biblically justifiable. Yet the ones I would like to address in this post are my fellow brothers, especially the husbands out there. In 1 Peter 3:7, husbands are instructed to be considerate to the wives' physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Furthermore, husbands should treat them with honor and respect.

Photo Credit: Simon Santos, owner of  fpj-daking.blogspot.com

We can never be Leon Guererros or Daniel Barrions, but by the Spirit of God, we can all pursue biblical masculinity.