Sometimes all it takes is a simple request to repeat what I just said to my husband that will do it. I make a statement, he doesn’t hear and he says,
“What did you say?”
So, out it comes again, only this time it has a razor-sharp edge to it that would make Floyd the barber flinch!
Do I think he purposefully cannot hear me? Do I really believe his diagnosis of hearing loss was an intentional plan just to get under my skin?
How ridiculous, yet, sadly, that’s occasionally how I respond!
Why is it often easier to be really kind to people we barely even know than to our spouse? He’s the one to whom we pledged to love until death, yet we kill him with our sarcastic responses, glaring looks and deathly silences.
There are kinder, nice ways of saying something and there are words or tones of voice that I could use that would upset someone. Your husband is a person, too. There are kinder, nicer ways of communicating with him and there are ways of setting him off, just by your choice of words or tone of voice.
Today’s encouragement for your family, your marriage, is just this –
Be Kind.
- There are two ways to say something. Choose the kinder way.
- Show him even greater kindness than you would a friend who you love dearly.
- Smile at him.
- Forgive him.
- Listen.
- Look in his eyes when he speaks.
- Lend him a hand.
- Do a favor.
- Oh, and repeat yourself with the softest tone when he cannot hear you (said Denise to herself!)
Do you find yourself being kinder to others than you are your spouse? What will you do today to fix that?
RefreshHer 