"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."
1 Peter 3:7
"Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life,"
Thursday was Day #2 of my elder son's potty "boycott". But this time I was ready. By God's grace, I was mentally, emotionally and spiritually prepared to be the gracious, patient mommy I knew He could help me be. And I was. Only by God's grace. Let me say that again, only by God's grace.
However, I did fail to be the gracious and loving wife. My husband called on his lunch break when we were in the middle of another tantrum at home. He didn't read my mind and respond with the comforting, encouraging words I desired. And so, I deemed it appropriate to chew him out over the phone. Yes, I was once again sinfully angry, but this time it was with my husband. The conversation didn't end so well, but I put it out of my mind and returned to my tantrum-throwing toddler.
Imagine my surprise when my husband walked through the door an hour earlier than he regularly did. He greeted the kids and gave me a huge hug. He then proceeded to pull a $20 dollar bill out of his wallet and told me to go get out of the house and buy myself some dinner.
I was immediately humbled and convicted of my sin. I didn't know what to say. Kyle knows how long the weeks get for me in our little apartment. We share a car, so I truly am a "stay-at-home" mom. When I do leave the apartment it is rarely without the boys. I gave him a huge hug and started crying, asking forgiveness for the way I had spoken to him earlier in the day.
Later as I was driving to Panera to eat dinner and spend time reading my Bible, praying and journaling, the verses I listed above came to mind. Kyle was living these out today. Then Romans 5:8 came to mind - "But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." My husband was being Jesus to me. He was tired after working all day, and the boys wouldn't be "easy" for him to watch that evening. I had been angry, selfish, prideful (I could go on) in my words to him. I had sinned against him greatly, yet he intentionally came home from work early, gave me his extra spending money, and allowed me to have some time alone, away from the craziness at home. Kyle was loving me like Christ loves the Church, he was dwelling with me with understanding, he was demonstrating love towards me when I was his enemy.
Wow. I was overwhelmed with God's love for me. First of all because He loves me so much more than Kyle ever could. Secondly, because He gave me Kyle to point me back to Him. And thirdly, because only He could enable my husband to love me this way. What a good God I have.
4 comments:
Christie, I always love reading your blog - I'm so glad you're open & honest about what God's doing in your life. I have been struggling with selfish anger lately, too, a lot. Really appreciated this reminder & so glad your hubby was there for you - I love the picture of the two of you!!! :)
And we've been potty training, too!!! I'm sorry Kendrick isn't doing so well with it! Zachary honestly wasn't ready until just now - and he's three and a half - if I had any advice to give, it would be maybe wait till he gets a little older? But of course that's up to you if he seems ready & can understand when he needs to go & all, it could definitely be just a behavior issue, too, of him not wanting to go in the potty. Z is doing that with #2 - he is really good about #1, but he refuses to go #2 in the potty, it's definitely a behavior issue, so we're dealing with that. Praying that God gives you wisdom to deal with both of your little ones in this crazy days!
Ditto. Seriously. Almost in a absurd way!!
We may be on different continents, but our circumstances are similar. I'm entering Month #2 with a whiny, crying, screaming, fill-in-the-blank toddler who has for an undetermined reason (there may be several which could be explainable but not excusable) suddenly become very dependent and clingy. I've been very, very, very frustrated with this sudden personality switch. And this is amid various other pressures which God has GRACIOUSLY allowed to, ONCE AGAIN, bring me to the end of myself...at which point (specifically this evening), He also gave me an incredible opportunity to minister Christ to a young lady from church.
Be encouraged, dear sister-in-Christ, as you encourage others through your humble recognition of weakness and God's tremendous greatness. And now I have a new stepping stone to prayer in those moments when I need to redirect my thoughts heavenward - I'll pray for you!!
Loved your transparency and your processing of these up and down days of potty training. It also does not help one bit when the Iowa skies clear for about 14 minutes all day and let a streak of sunshine through...
Christie, you are an inspiration, and I am so thankful that you SEE God working in you through trials. :) I love Kyle. I love the way he is tender and understanding. We have wonderful spouses, godly men, who do love us as Christ loved the church. :)
Micah is loving towards Laura when she is needing him or sick. I am so thankful to know you, to know Kyle, to know Wyman and Micah treat their brides well....and I am thankful for a great God who sees us as we are, and loves us anyway. :)
Press on, Christie....you have a mission field right in front of your eyeballs... :) God bless! :)
Oh precious Christie... what a sweet gesture he had too.
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