How Do You Respond?
This might get a little preachy, but it's something that hit me square in the face yesterday and I thought it would be a good thing to share.
To set the stage: Yesterday morning, Wes and I were getting ready to take the kids shopping down in Bellingham, WA. The Lord has blessed us with an extra bit this month, and the kids and Wes needed some things, so after Andrew and Beth were finished with school, we were planning to head out. I needed to know what Wes wanted to do about lunch and supper, since we'd be leaving right around lunch time and we weren't sure when we'd get back home. I asked him if he wanted me to fix our main meal of the day before we left (which we've been doing recently), and he said no; we'd take some snacks with us. So I was planning what I'd do before we left so supper would be quicker when we got home. He casually said, "I thought we might stop at Red Robin (a restaurant) on the way home," to which I immediately responded, "OK!" I was pretty enthusiastic about it, too, so much so that Wes, with a twinkle in his eye, responded, "I hate to disappoint you like that!" LOL I admit, I was pretty happy to be going out to eat and not having to produce a late supper! And my delight was evident to him in my words and my body language.
The thing that hit me so square in the heart was how differently I knew I would have reacted if he had told me to fix something for us to eat when we got home. I would have done it willingly (I was already planning it), but I would have just merely complied with what he asked. But when the plans suited me and delighted me, I was very enthusiastic about them. The Lord brought to my mind how much it would please my husband if I responded that enthusiastically to everything he suggested, whether I really wanted to do it or not. For example, I hate making phone calls, especially to people I don't know very well. If you knew me in real life, that would shock you, but I really do dread making phone calls. Sometimes Wes asks me to call a lady who has visited our church, or the parent of a Patch Club child, and my immediate reaction is to sigh and drag off to the phone to make that call. I do it - I obey him - but he sure does know how much I hate to do it! Wouldn't it please him so much if I cheerfully rushed off to make those calls? Actually, it would probably hurt him, becase he'd have a heart attack from the shock of it! So I've seen my fault in this area of cheerfully pleasing my husband, and with the Holy Spirit's help, I plan to do better from now on. I just hope Wes doesn't read this! LOL
To set the stage: Yesterday morning, Wes and I were getting ready to take the kids shopping down in Bellingham, WA. The Lord has blessed us with an extra bit this month, and the kids and Wes needed some things, so after Andrew and Beth were finished with school, we were planning to head out. I needed to know what Wes wanted to do about lunch and supper, since we'd be leaving right around lunch time and we weren't sure when we'd get back home. I asked him if he wanted me to fix our main meal of the day before we left (which we've been doing recently), and he said no; we'd take some snacks with us. So I was planning what I'd do before we left so supper would be quicker when we got home. He casually said, "I thought we might stop at Red Robin (a restaurant) on the way home," to which I immediately responded, "OK!" I was pretty enthusiastic about it, too, so much so that Wes, with a twinkle in his eye, responded, "I hate to disappoint you like that!" LOL I admit, I was pretty happy to be going out to eat and not having to produce a late supper! And my delight was evident to him in my words and my body language.
The thing that hit me so square in the heart was how differently I knew I would have reacted if he had told me to fix something for us to eat when we got home. I would have done it willingly (I was already planning it), but I would have just merely complied with what he asked. But when the plans suited me and delighted me, I was very enthusiastic about them. The Lord brought to my mind how much it would please my husband if I responded that enthusiastically to everything he suggested, whether I really wanted to do it or not. For example, I hate making phone calls, especially to people I don't know very well. If you knew me in real life, that would shock you, but I really do dread making phone calls. Sometimes Wes asks me to call a lady who has visited our church, or the parent of a Patch Club child, and my immediate reaction is to sigh and drag off to the phone to make that call. I do it - I obey him - but he sure does know how much I hate to do it! Wouldn't it please him so much if I cheerfully rushed off to make those calls? Actually, it would probably hurt him, becase he'd have a heart attack from the shock of it! So I've seen my fault in this area of cheerfully pleasing my husband, and with the Holy Spirit's help, I plan to do better from now on. I just hope Wes doesn't read this! LOL
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord . . . and the wife see that she reverence her husband." ~~ Ephesians 5:22,33
Well, now you've gone and done it! You've put us all under conviction!! I still don't know anyone who cheerfully obeys something she does not want to do! Endure, yes, cheerfully? Ha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting the Holy Spirit uses you!
Love,
Rhonda
Susan......grrrrr.......lol!
ReplyDeleteI was actually sitting here sulking over something I disagreed with my husband over.....and you have to go post something that convicts me!
Thanks for the reminder - I needed it!
Oh, I needed this one today! Sometimes we rob ourselves of a meek and quiet spirit when we choose to have a bad attitude.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful insight Susan. And I'm glad that God blessed you with Red Robin too! Julie Fink
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder, Sis! I didn't find it "preachy" at all. We all need to enthusiastic when it comes to our husbands suggestions, no matter what they might be. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAnd it's always nice when they suggest to eat out. ;)
~Kristi
Ladies remember that there are some of us that would love to have our husband around to make suggestions. Also think of all those whose husband is in Iraq. Now you can pick on me and leave Susan alone. Reminders are so good to keep us on the right road.
ReplyDeleteOkay, Susan... here's my confession... I've been visiting you for a while now, but haven't commented. Ever since you left that comment on my page (about your baby nearly kicking your hubby off the bed, LOL), though, I've been meaning to comment you back. I'm finally doing it now! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post, and a wonderful reminder. I'm the same way (I think we all are at times); it's easy for me to get excited when Nathan asks me to do something I already want to do... but how often do I gladly do the other things he asks me to do? I don't think I want to answer that question "out loud" for everyone else to read. Just know that I'll be working on this right along with you!
Well, how's that for a first comment? It's probably your longest one ever! :P
A woman after my own heart--I always LOVE hearing that we're eating out! Now Wes knows how to put you in a great mood! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, what a good reminder. I need to remember what you said when my hubby asks me to put on his socks for him cuz he is having trouble reaching down to put them on. Once my hubby asked me to fill his insulin needle for him & I was busy at the time. So I told him can't you just wait a minute I'm busy now? After I said that I realized wait a minute his insulin is what keeps him alive & boy did I get convicted over that. I have to remind myself of that when he asks me to fill his needle & I'm busy.
ReplyDeleteRed Robin is yummy. Any excuse to go there is a good one. Your hubby must be a good one, taking you to Red Robin & getting you a new puter... :)
Wow! I guess I never have thought about this. Marty was just getting on to me a couple of nights ago because I haven't been the most obedient wife of late. So in response, I've been doing as he wishes, but certainly not doing it with enthuthiasm or joy. This is definately an area I need to work on. If I started doing this all at once, Marty would be like Wes, and probably have a heart attack. Thanks for bringing this up...very timely!!
ReplyDeleteOUCH ~~ now that you have stepped all over my toes I have some repenting to do and an attitude to adjust in some areas!!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly though ~~~ THANK YOU!!!! I am also going to tshare this with the ladies of my church.
Love ya,
Tami
Thanks for all your comments, ladies! I am the queen of not-cheerful endurance, so this was very much a visible, concrete way to make myself accountable for my attitudes. Wouldn't you know it, today I've had a weird headache and I haven't FELT like being agreeable at all, much less CHEERFULLY agreeable! Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone!
ReplyDelete