Have contempt for contempt...

I'll come right out and say it...

I like to argue.

No, not really.  

But I've been told that I do.

Actually, I just like to be right....

and coincidentally, since I'm the domestic leader of my home, what I say goes!!

Momma IS always right.

Does this sound familiar?

Oh boy...does this resonate with me!  I don't like to argue.  Really, I don't.  Yet my mouth gets in my way more often then not.  Especially at home.  And with the ones I love the most.

I have to note here that my husband is a patient and very quiet spirit.  

He has to be to put up with me...

and stay!

Praise Jesus, He blessed me with such a man.

 

Mommy's get tired.  We get burned out.  We carry the weight of the world and every emotion in it on our shoulders.  With work and chores and meals and cleaning and laundry and teaching and raising and baths and discipline and dishes....

So when daddy gets home

"Take the kids.  They're all yours.  I'm taking a bath.  Don't bother me."

"And while you're at it...unload the dish washer, take out the trash, walk the dog and don't even so much as complain about it because if you had had the day I've had..."

Again, I ask, does this sound familiar?

 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

So often I totally overlook the day that my husband has had because I'm only focused on the day I'VE had.  And in the moment he comes home, the day that I've had is all that matters in my mind.

That's how being right (being selfish) can land me in an argument.

That's how my totally stressful, overworked day, can turn into crap really quick.

For what?

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

~Titus 2:3-5

The truth is you may not enjoy arguing per se, but when you just have to get that point across, or cut that ugly glance, or have that last word or boss, that's what you're doing...you're stirring an argument.

I'm reading a book and it's theme is so simple, but is so hard for us humans to master in a lot of ways.

"Have contempt for contempt."

con·tempt(per dictionary.com) is : 1) the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn. 2) the state of being despised; dishonor; disgrace.

This is a challenge.

But I'm inviting you along with me to have contempt for...

attitude, being right, feeling sorry, nagging.

I'm encouraging you to have contempt for...

the contempt our behavior may create in our husbands and children towards us.

It's a two way street you know.

A vicious cycle if we allow it to be.

Because life is a blessing.  Marriage is a rich union ordained by God and you are your husband's partner for life.  There is no greater gift then children and they learn by our actions.

And we honor God when we are living in obedience to Him as well as to our families.

Dear Jesus,

My morning was a relatively peaceful one, Lord.  Thank you for that.  But so many mornings or days or evenings are not.  Dear God, that is of my own doing.  It is of my own indiscretions and my prayer is that no matter the day or what's going on in it, that you will stir my heart with this message, Lord.  Please remind me to have contempt for contempt.  To cling to you in everything.  To be a blessing to my dear husband and precious children.  And no matter the day's emotional climate, to be thankful for ALL that you have allowed me to live out and experience.

I love you.

I'm sharing this as part of Motivate Me Mondays over at Fifth Street Palace

as well as 

Make Your Home Sing Mondays over at Mom's the Word.

Check them out!

Would you help me get to 100 followers??
My goal is to reach that (or more) by May 17th!!

I think we can do it!

And to give you a little extra incentive, on that day ALL of my followers will be entered in a really super, Fantabulous Giveway (details later so stay tuned)!! It might include something pretty and kitchen-y :)!!

 Be a blessing today,