Posted by Spriggy on April 4, 2005, at 12:08:00
I write for a bimonthly Christian publication. I wrote this one last fall. I just thought I'd share it here with my friends:
Last week I found myself suffering from a disorder. Many women across the world can relate and it is commonly referred to as "PMS" in most circles. However, I better not fail to mention another disorder I am suffering from. I have suffered with this one most of our marriage but had thought I was in remmission. I've had a relapse (or two) lately and need to confess.
I call my disorder "NWS" or Nagging Wife Syndrome. It seems to lay dormant until I spot crumbs on the counter tops, pants beside the hamper, or socks in the bathroom floor. Then suddenly, I feel my disorder resurface and take over my body. I forget all about what a wonderful husband I have, how much he loves me, how much he loves our children, and I seem to suddenly forget about all the wonderful things he DOES DO. My memory is erased and suddenly all I recall is the garbage can that is overflowing or those pesky counter crumbs.
Dare I say this next part? When NWS kicks in to full blown disease, I sometimes even find myself slamming my kitchen cabinets a little harder, shoving bowls and glasses in them a little louder as if to say, " SEE ALL I DO AROUND HERE." I breathe and sigh out loud and think of my poor little self as nothing less than a martyr for my family.AND THEN, God smacks me on the bottom and lovingly says, " WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU??" And as much as it hurts to be disciplined, I'm so glad He does it or else I would be one horribly rotten bratty kid of His.
So this week, I have been challenged over this NWS disorder. I realize there is no magic pill for me to take that will humble me or make me kinder to this wonderful man I married. BUT, there is a remedy I have found that does work.
I've been reading over the word of God and finding scriptures of what a woman with NWS really is like... I found one in Proverbs that says, " A nagging wife is like a constant drip." OOOOUCH! You know when your sink faucet just DRIP, DRIP, DRIPS, and it drives you absolutely insane??? That's what I am like to my husband when I get a NWS flareup. OOh, the poor guy. There is nothing more annoying than a constant drip.
God also reminded me that none of those stupid little things that I allow to get to me, are "character" issues. So what if he occasionally forgets to pick up his socks? Or his pants? Or wipe off the counter after he made a sandwich? Really and truly, if that is ALL I can find to complain about with my husband (and it is!), than I am one truly, truly, deeply blessed woman. And I AM!
My husband prays for me, prays over me, reads his bible every day, he always wakes up in a good mood and treats me kindly, he loves our children, he even helps change diapers for a 9 year old without complaint (that alone SHOULD SHUT ME UP!), he is full of integrity, he works hard, he is honest, gentle, and most of all, he looks past SOOOO many of my faults without ever making note of them (at least outloud! ha).
So, as I concentrate on all the things that DO matter, it seems I can feel my disorder begin to fade away like an old rash. I realize it's still there (and probably always will be), but whether or not it surfaces and takes over my whole body (and MOUTH), is really up to me.So my prayer this week is to appreciate, love, respect, honor, and cherish this wonderful man I have. To be his cheerleader and not his critic, to encourage him not discourage him, and to be a bubbling brook.. NOT a constant DRIP.
poster:Spriggy
thread:479656
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20050312/msgs/479656.html