November 3, 2011

Dripping Faucet or Wellspring of Life?

As I found my seat on the plane and settled in, others around me were doing the same.  My attention was immediately drawn to a married couple who sat in the row in front of me.  

The words toward her husband were like sandpaper to the soul.

When she responded to him, the tone was abrasive, disrespectful, and harsh...the words combative and hurtful.

drip, drip, drip

The obvious meaning behind the tone and words was uncaring, caustic and cutting.
 
drip, drip, drip


"a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping"
Proverbs 19:13b

"Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife."
Proverbs 21:19


He did not respond with malice or anger, but just took the brunt of her words.
Soaking them into his heart as wounds.

They became quiet as the flight got underway, but my thoughts returned over and over again to this couple.  I couldn't help but examine my own delivery of words to my husband.  Are they sweet, loving and respectful, or caustic, biting and hurtful?

Do I want to be an ill-tempered, constantly dripping wife,
or one of  noble character?

Lord Jesus, may you guard our lips and only allow words of encouragement, affirmation and respect to exit.  May our words build up and not tear down.


5 comments:

  1. Amen, great words, something the Lord has really grown me in through almost 8 years of marriage. Good reminder! (visiting from some girls' website)

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  2. Thankyou for what you have shared. A great teaching for all us wives. I try not to say negative things but sometimes my tongue is so hard to control.
    Bless you for this very timely teaching.

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  3. great reminder for all of us. i overheard a similar wife-husband conversation once and it has stayed with me since.

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  4. How uncomfortable for you! This is a great reminder though. I often find myself speaking to my husband and then thinking to myself "I didn't have to reply in that tone of voice". We must be so careful, because the tone behind the words is more powerful than the words themselves sometimes.

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  5. A much-needed reminder today Cherie...thank you.

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I am so glad you that you stopped by today! What's on your mind?

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