I recently reflected on what I’ve been reading about how to be a better mother. I’ve been encouraged in the past to read about not disciplining children with a downpour of emotions and words, but feeding their roots and building strong children through a gentle rain of discipline.
“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.” Proverbs 17:14
“A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.” Proverbs 27:15
And, so it is with marriage. Today I found two wonderful resources for wives. The first article, 5 Time-Tested Secrets for Keeping His Heart, includes simple steps and scripture to not only capture his heart but keep it. Elaborating more on item #4 in this article, another article titled 6 Ways to Build Up Our Husbands talks more in-depth about respect.
After reading these two articles (click on the titles above to link to the full articles), I was led to consider the following thoughts and scripture:
But I’m right!
“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 18:2
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15
Are you listening?
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James" 1:19-20
Acts of the flesh include: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. But, if you can give control over and seek counsel…
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James" 1:19-20
Acts of the flesh include: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. But, if you can give control over and seek counsel…
The Wonderful Counselor has sent His Spirit to be with us, and “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
Who doesn’t want to be listened to with love?
Who doesn’t want careful consideration of their comments?
Who doesn’t long to be loved unconditionally?
Who doesn’t need to practice peace and patience?
But who doesn’t want to rest in a peaceful place and share life with peaceful people?
Who doesn’t respond to kindness?
Who doesn’t notice when goodness and faithfulness abide in a person?
Who doesn’t respond to gentleness?
Of course, who doesn’t need more self-control?
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Of course, who is perfect?
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 4:29
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2
Of course, who doesn’t need the Perfect One, the Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counselor?
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
“…but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Who doesn’t want to be listened to with love?
Who doesn’t want careful consideration of their comments?
Who doesn’t long to be loved unconditionally?
Who doesn’t need to practice peace and patience?
But who doesn’t want to rest in a peaceful place and share life with peaceful people?
Who doesn’t respond to kindness?
Who doesn’t notice when goodness and faithfulness abide in a person?
Who doesn’t respond to gentleness?
Of course, who doesn’t need more self-control?
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Of course, who is perfect?
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 4:29
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2
Of course, who doesn’t need the Perfect One, the Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counselor?
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
“…but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Call on Him today and be a blessing to yourself, your partner, and others who share your space.
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