(*updated - part of my original post is missing. It was there to begin with, but I noticed when I was looking at comments that the bulk of the post is gone. I guess Blogger ate it! I'm trying to re-create it. Don't know if I'll be successful. But now all my comments are gone, too!)We've finished two weeks of the "Honor Your Husband Challenge". Based on my own experiences, and reading those of other participants, "challenge" is definitely the appropriate word! It's so easy to put our husbands behind the children, the home friends. Why is it that we can't see that these big strong men need us just as much, if not more, than the other things/people in our lives? Or am I the only one in this predicament?
After setting
my goals last week, I got off to a
bumpy start. I finally got on the right track, though. On Thursday, we had a discussion about something pretty insignificant. I knew I was right, but the Lord held my tongue (in my own power, I would've knocked him over the head to prove I was right on this minuscule point!) Later, when R realized I was right, he told me so. Again, the Holy Spirit kept me from saying,
"I told you so!" I felt the taste of victory...not from being right, but from not asserting my rights! He's probably forgotten the entire incident, but I realized I didn't seize an opportunity to put another chink in the armor of his authority. That is HUGE for me. And this will be my ongoing goal throughout the challenge, and beyond.
Christine's
post today asked the question, "
What do people learn of God by looking at your (my) marriage?"
I've never asked myself that question before, but I must admit that I've been quick to make judgments of other marriages. It's an occupational hazard. I'm a paralegal and the bulk of my work load is domestic. Unfortunately, I am bombarded with divorce and custody disputes every day. My job has given me an appreciation for my man. It's also caused me to become a master craftsman at appearances. I don't want other people to look on my marriage and judge it the way I've judged others. R and I really do have a terrific marriage. We love each other and are committed to each other. We're friends and soul mates. Yet it's not perfect, no matter how much I want to think that it is. If it were, I wouldn't find this challenge so challenging!
Which brings me back to my goals for the week:
Continue to:~greet him when he comes home (pretty successful)
~leave him love notes (needs work)
~speak kindly to him & about him (improving)
~lay down my need to be right (a work in progress)
AND:~create an atmosphere of peace in our home. I'm de-cluttering, re-organizing, & just altogether making big changes in the way I keep our home. I know when I'm done with this LARGE project, it will be a blessing to R& our family as a whole.
I'd love to hear how the challenge is going for you! Post your own link, or check other gals' progress, over at
Christine's.
Melissa
