
Painting by Frederick Sands Brunner (1886 – 1954)
Marriage Wisdom for Her by Matthew Jacobson
Regularly speaking kind and loving words brings the spirit of peace into your home. How do you talk to your husband in normal, everyday communication? Is your speech marked by soft, loving words?
What would your husband say if he were asked, “Does your wife communicate with you in a kind manner?”
Choosing to communicate with kindness and love in marriage is a spiritual discipline. We’re so wired to respond “in the same manner” that whenever a perceived provocation of any degree is felt, we react on autopilot. When challenging moments happen, you need to be ready, having prepared yourself with the truth that you are not the victim of your fleshly impulses.
You have the power to respond, in any situation, with a soft answer.
But what about all those other moments that fill the normal days of marriage? Are you speaking lovingly then? Consider these examples: “Hey, take out the trash,” versus, “Hey, babe, I’d love it if you could take out the trash . . . I sure appreciate you!”
“The doctor’s bill came. You need to pay it,” versus, “Is this a good time to talk about some bills that have come in?”
“On your way home, pick up some milk and eggs,” versus, “Hey, love, would you mind picking up some milk and eggs on the way home?”
When mundane things are referenced with kindness and love you are actually adding a layer of respect to your conversation.
You may have different discussions in your home, but the principle is the same. When you speak – even in the small, seemingly insignificant matters that make up the day – do so in a thoughtful manner.
Peace follows a soft approach. After all, it’s difficult to have strife with a person who is speaking to you in a gentle tone.
Purpose to be a woman who speaks kindly toward your husband. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
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Dear Blessed Mother,
You were the epitome of kindness, graciousness and gentleness when you sojourned on this earth. Please pray for me that I may become more like you each day…especially in my home with my husband. May I show him kindness in the words I speak and in the manner I speak them. And when I fall may I have the humility to admit it and get right back up again. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“The Holy Family lived in a plain cottage among other working people, in a village perched on a hillside. Although they did not enjoy modern conveniences, the three persons who lived there made it the happiest home that ever was. You cannot imagine any of them at any time thinking first of himself. This is the kind of home a husband likes to return to and to remain in. Mary saw to it that such was their home. She took it as her career to be a successful homemaker and mother.”
-Fr. Lawrence G. Lovasik. The Catholic Family Handbook https://amzn.to/2XHhW5N (afflink)
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Women historically have been denigrated as lower than men or viewed as privileged. Dr. Alice von Hildebrand characterizes the difference between such views as based on whether man’s vision is secularistic or steeped in the supernatural. She shows that feminism’s attempts to gain equality with men by imitation of men is unnatural, foolish, destructive, and self-defeating. The Blessed Mother’s role in the Incarnation points to the true privilege of being a woman. Both virginity and maternity meet in Mary who exhibits the feminine gifts of purity, receptivity to God’s word, and life-giving nurturance at their highest.
You’ll learn how to grow in wisdom and in love as you encounter the unglamorous, everyday problems that threaten all marriages. As the author says: If someone were to give me many short bits of wool, most likely I would throw them away. A carpet weaver thinks differently. He knows the marvels we can achieve by using small things artfully and lovingly. Like the carpet weaver, the good wife must be an artist of love. She must remember her mission and never waste the little deeds that fill her day the precious bits of wool she s been given to weave the majestic tapestry of married love.
This remarkable book will show you how to start weaving love into the tapestry of your marriage today, as it leads you more deeply into the joys of love.
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Hello,
This is a great post and a very needed reminder. I am quite prone to anger, am easily exasperated and a true perfectionist which means that when things do not go my way, I tend to snap at my boyfriend who is really just trying his best to make my life easier. I feel like it’s always me, myself and I (e.g : I have to this thing that way otherwise my anger blows everything around me…). But I want to become softer, more welcoming, and overall a nicer person so that I will be a good wife and a good mother when the time comes.
I really appreciate posts about kindness, gentleness, nurturing and acceptance. They’re very useful in today’s world !
Thank you,
Andrea
(from France)
I’m another Andrea in France and I had to double check I hadn’t written this as it sums up my response perfectly. God bless.
Leanevdp I love your posts. They’re so inspiring for those who see marriage as their vocation.
Bonjour alors !
C’est vraiment étrange, quelle coïncidence ! D’où venez-vous ? Pour ma part je vis en Normandie.
Je me demandais justement s’il y avait d’autres Français qui lisaient les articles de ce blog. Maintenant je sais que c’est le cas.
Passez une bonne journée.
Salut
En fait je suis anglais. J’habite en Normandie aussi, vers Gavray. Nous sommes déménagé juste après le Brexit. Mais c’est bien pour nous parce que j’ai un passport Ireland aussi, donc je suis encore un citoyenne européenne.
Bon journée à vous aussi.
Great post! Yes those sweet little ways to say anything, ahhhh, I just need to remember…but the day gets so busy and one gets to the point of please just help, etc….. The sweetness is so important, need to remember better. 🙂
And Alice is no simpleton.She is highly educated and lived in high society,!