Keeping my mouth shut!
by adustyframe ~ May 26th, 2008As Lee and I are adjusting to being together again, I’ve decided that shutting my mouth is one of the best marriage tools around!
I realized one day that I wanted to tell him (and tell him and tell him again) how to do or not do something. I bit my tongue (literally) and prayed, “Ok God! Help me not to ruin this day by being a nag.”
He got the thing done his way and it really did NOT matter that it wasn’t “my way”.
Our time together is much more pleasant if I’m not trying to micromanage every detail. My husband doesn’t handle nagging very well and I am actually shocked that I used to be such a nag. Why would I do something that he can’t stand?
Today he was being silly and he bumped me with something–several times. He said, “Aren’t you going to say something?”
I said, “No. I know you’re just being silly.”
He said, “Before you’d have been whining about that.”
I said, “Well, I guess I’ve changed.”
I have changed. So has he. Our marriage is reaping the benefits and I pray that I will keep remembering to just shut my mouth!
May 26th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
wise advice … and not simply for marriage!!! ahhh … if i would only apply it to my life more often !!!!!!!
May 27th, 2008 at 2:02 am
In october 2006 I visited the annual “school-fair” in Stockholm. Among all the curricula-sellers and school stuff the Swedish Bible Society had a little table where they had childrens bibles and information about their work. They also had a little basket with paper slips with bible verses on them. I took one and it said: “Be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.” (Free translation from Swedish) I’ve forgotten the reference but I’ll never forget that verse.
It’s been a hard fight for me to be quiet and keep my mouth closed, cause I very much like to talk, and to nag
But there really is wisdom in being quiet, especially on those days when it is so hard to just “keep quiet”. Thank you for reminding me!
/Malgomaj, Sweden
May 27th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Keeping my mouth shut is one of the hardest things for me. I usually try to pack up the kids and head to the store when we are doing big projects. Unfortunately, butting in and telling him he’s “doing it wrong” happens to me too
May 27th, 2008 at 6:14 am
LOL! That is indeed one of the best skills in marriage – and one of the hardest, sometimes!
May 27th, 2008 at 6:21 am
Oh, Lizzie! Keep it up! God will bless your marriage. Your story inspired a post on my blog regarding how I learned this lesson.
May 27th, 2008 at 7:03 am
One of the fruits of the spirit is self-control. Isn’t is beautiful to see the Holy Spirit working in your life? Have a super day!
May 27th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Amen, sister! And isn’t it soooo HARD some days???? But you’re right – it reaps the greatest benefits!
Thanks for the reminder,
Alesha
May 27th, 2008 at 8:10 am
This post was so encouraging to me. I really need help in this area and am praying to be surrendered to God with my mouth and how I react to my husband. I think I need to literally bite my tongue a LOT more.
May 27th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3:2
I’ve been bemoaning my lack of shuting my mouth lately. Not particularly in nagging my husband, but rather my children, and in saying things I wish I had never said to my husband and others.
Shutting my mouth! Yes! Help me Lord!
Sheila
May 27th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
It is wonderful that y’all are really communicating with each other!!
May 27th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
That is soooooo true. If you get the chance check out the Joyce Meyer book “Me and My Big Mouth!! thanks Lizzie, Pam, South Bend
May 29th, 2008 at 6:41 am
I so needed to hear this today. Thank you for your wisdom and a very timely reminder. Kaje