Sunday, May 11, 2008

The Excellent Wife

Leslie has been hosting a book study of The Excellent Wife. Each week she does a summary of a chapter and others who have been reading the book can write their own thoughts and link to Leslie's post at her site. I have been trying to read along with everyone (although at times I get a bit behind). Here is a little post about what I learned last week ...

Last weekend we headed to DC to take my niece to meet her Mom (we had kept her for a few days). April was a crazy month - we all had strep and then the girls and I got it a second time, Brian traveled alot (which he never has to do), etc. So I was ready for just a few minutes of down time in the van and I had my book, The Excellent Wife, in my bag to read on the way there and back.

As we were getting ready to leave, I may have been a little snappy. (Snappy is a relative term, right?) We get in the van, and Brian asks me to not be so snappy with him. (He did ask me that nicely but I would have preferred to have heard something like, 'honey, why are you snappy, has it been a rough week or month for you? I'm so sorry, what can I do to help make it better?') So then I got a little angry and then we began to argue, all because I was snappy and couldn't just say 'sorry'. I then proceeded to say that I HAD BEEN PLANNING to read my book about being an "excellent wife" but that I wasn't going to read it now because I didn't think he deserved to have an "excellent wife" at that time!

So this is where we see that at times I can still act like a 12-year old! I mean, really! This, along with many other examples, reminds of the grace I need daily. I need to extend grace to my husband and live in that same grace. Needless to say, my actions showed me how much I needed to read the book and focus on serving Christ through my marriage.

I am thankful for a patient and gracious husband...

5 comments:

April said...

I read this when I was first married and I felt very convicted and told myself that I should make it a yearly read. Have I done it? no. Thanks for the reminder. I will go check out Leslie's site.



BTW, I tested positive for strep. Hope this first round of anitbiotics takes care of it.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Anonymous said...

You're not the only one who's said that to herself, "I didn't think he deserved to have an "excellent wife" at that time!"

Thanks for sharing!!

Much Ado said...

Thanks for your honest illustration, I know I have had many occasions where I have been "snappy" too. This book has really been challenging me.

Kim said...

I am *never* snappy (sneer)

This book is awesome because it is dependant on scripture for every single mandate.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Jen, you are soooo not alone. I thought I was reading about myself.Thanks for being willing to share yourself with us. Reading this book with other women has been such a blessing of encouragement.