Monday, November 11, 2013

Mother Knows Best.

While vacuuming cheddar bunny crumbs underneath the breakfast nook table today, I realized something:

When it comes to my kids and our house, I think I'm always right.

Let me back up. So, on Saturday, I found myself getting a little ... bossy? with my hubby. It was a great day, really. We went to a Children's Museum, perused the Christmas trees at Hobby Lobby, and had lunch together, before naps and dinner with friends. The kids did great and it was, for the most part, a happy day.

But, my husband and I just weren't, um, "clicking". We couldn't seem to connect--like we were in a constant state of misunderstanding each other. Everything we said seemed to get lost in translation, amidst a big kid riding his scooter around the kitchen and a baby girl helping herself to cereal bars in the pantry. Constant movement and me moving right along with it.

By the end of the day, I was frustrated. I felt like he wasn't listening. I sat there, pouting, when God, in His good and gracious and always-timely wisdom, brought this proverb to my mind:

"Better to live on the roof than to share a house with a nagging wife." Proverbs 21:9

Oh boy. As my mind wandered through the events of the day, I could see the parts where I rushed my hubby, barked orders to help me get the kids ready and out the door, complained that his guitar and amp and other superfluous speakers were crowding our den .... nagging. Nag, nag, nag.

And my frustration and pouting quickly turned to remorse.

I imagined our roof and my husband perched on top of it, enjoying the PEACE AND QUIET. I laughed out loud. Oh, the poor guy. Apologies quickly followed my revelation.

The next day in our Sunday School class, we discussed how humility precedes wisdom. We have to humble ourselves before we can ask for it. I knew that my Naggy Saturday had been full of I Know Better Than You pride. No humility, therefore ... no space to ask for wisdom. Had I taken that pause and considered my attitude, I can guarantee my actions would have been different.

I fall into this trap easily. Since I stay at home, and all of our kids are home most of the time (Cub is in school two days a week and that's it), I feel that I am more entitled to make decisions concerning our household. Does that make sense? I don't even realize that I'm doing it (until I envision my husband on our roof, apparently) because throughout the day, it's just how we roll. Our home is a ship and I'm the captain of the crew. But, when my husband comes home and is home, it's okay for me to mosey on over to First Mate. To give him the opportunity to lead, to relax (oh man, I'm bad at letting him relax at home, eek), to take charge and navigate our day.

Before I find him clinging to the crow's nest.

My thoughts on this Monday. Naomi is crawling in my lap, asking for snowman pictures to color .... time to go!

Have a lovely day!

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