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10 Minutes Peace

    by Susan McGrath

That's What I Said . . .
Date Posted: August 11, 2007

You would think after so many years together my husband and I would be better at communicating. We've been a couple for 23 years and married for almost 17 and there are times when we think or say the same thing at the same time, or when we can even communicate with a look. When it comes to planning and organizing, however, we don't seem to have it down to a science yet.

For instance, the other day I asked my husband to check and see if his parents were available to keep the kids for the day. He called and left a message with his brother, who said someone would call back. I thought it was a go for Grandma's house. When I got ready for work that morning I asked him if he was taking the kids. He said, "No one called back. Why didn't you say something when I got home last night?" (Yeah, I'm sure your parents want at call about midnight.)

So I panicked mildly, tried to avoid an argument, then called a teenaged sitter whom I knew would have nothing more exciting to do. Strangely, when I got home from work my mother-in-law called and said they had waited for the kids all morning. She wanted to know what had happened. "Well, your sons happened! " I wanted to say. Apparently the men in this family did not read the communication handbook.

Then after the sitter/no-sitter incident we had a bed miscommunication. I have an antique bed (I say "I" because my husband thinks it's junk, but he's wrong.) that was too short for our mattress. When we got a new mattress I wanted the rails lengthened so we could actually get the new mattress off of the floor. (Where the old one was for over two years!) So the rails finally got fixed and I was ready to put the bed together but my husband had to adjust something else. Fast forward two days later: I'm trying to get kids to football practice and packed for camp, set up a display booth for the museum where I work and get this column written. My husband decided RIGHT NOW would be a good time to put the bed together. Guess what? It's a two-person job! So we wrestle with the bed and he grumbles and I have to leave to pick up a kid at football practice and it's time for supper . . .

Long story short (shorter, anyway) the bed got put together, my son didn't have to walk home from practice and the pizza is on the way! Now if I could just get my husband to drill the holes for the blinds . . .

The Proverbs 31 wife (we should all be so efficient) isn't described specifically as communicating well, but it does say in verse 26 that she "speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."

God communicates with us through His word and through other people. He expects us to communicate with love and patience - even with our husbands. This week I'm praying for better communication skills and for patience with people who lack those skills!

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Biography Information:
Susan McGrath is:

a recovering journalist trying to encourage others and glorify God through writing;

living the small-town life with husband Tim and sons Lincoln, 12, and Sawyer, 6;

completing a few put-off writing projects while using chocolate for therapy.