Knowing when to walk away has been the biggest problem for me as a wife.

I just want to fix everything.

Or, I am laughing so hard at such an inappropriate time, my hubs won’t even look at me.

There are two sides to every coin. I have no idea what he meant by this one except for maybe this- instead of backing yourself into a corner with your spouse, learn to stop talking and walk away. Just go for a walk. Shut that big mouth of yours and go.

Most of the things we have to say to our spouse they already know.

For example for me-

• How I feel about the way someone else treats him. ( He knows)
• What I think about this morning’s sermon. (he knows)
• What I know about someone else’s infidelity (he knows)
• How hurt I am over another person’s repeated behavior towards me (he knows)
• Anything else we may have discussed repeatedly. ( He knows)

 

How does he know, you may ask? We have been married for 23+ years. And even as newlyweds, we had a certain expectation of things. We have never approved of infidelity on any level. We want each other addressed with respect and common courtesy. It kills us when someone else cuts us to the core, and we do not always (clutch those pearls ) agree with everything preached from the pulpit.  ( I know- another topic- another time) I say all this to bring to light a point- He can give me one look and just know. I do not need to explain, voice my opinion or rant. He already knows how I feel, as I know how he feels. We have done our homework with one another.

On those occasions when it is not obvious to one another, we do have that seeking conversation, but all we do is ask instead of offering an opinion or rebuttal. We are not the Bobsy-Twins. We don’t have to think alike all the time. God created us as individuals intentionally, and part of marriage is learning to do all the things we must to stick together. We have chosen to be forged as One, so we must learn to act as one as well.

As far as the inappropriate laughter- I have no idea how to get around this one. Sometimes he leads me away- sometimes he laughs with me. On occasion I do get reprimanded, but mostly just an eye-roll. I would imagine those are the times he desperately wants to walk away from me for a moment to save himself the embarrassment of my superior and uncontrollable laughter.  I would also imagine he would quietly and in private completely approve of my giggling fit when no one else is looking.

 

Walking away is for self and spouse preservation- we can all use a little bit of that.

Join me for the last installment, Know when to Run.