Jake and I were catching up with each other and sharing news about our families. “Speaking of your wife,” he began, “My kids are seeing your wife right now.”
“Oh, they have a dental appointment? Nice.”
“Yes, they will probably scream bloody murder!”
I chuckled. “You know, I am so thankful that my wife has the patience to put up with criers all day long. It takes a very special person to be a pediatric dentist; I could never do this!” I winked at Jake. “She must get her patience from living with me!”
It was tongue in cheek statement but there was far more truth in it than I cared to admit. It reminded me of a statement that another friend’s wife once made about her husband. He, too, was a very impatient man with a short temper and on several occasions, I had been on the receiving end of his wrath. After witnessing such an encounter, she came up to me and said, “I am so sorry about what just happened.” I politely shook my head and said, “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” She persisted. “I have spoken to him several times about this.” She sighed and forced a weak smile. “I think God placed me in this marriage to teach him patience.”
As I reminisced about this episode, a pang of regret overcame me as I wondered, did God also bless me with my wife so that I would learn patience?
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
1 Peter 3:1-2 (ESV)
Far too often, I harbor vainglorious thoughts that I am the one setting the godly example in the family and carrying the burdens of the marriage. If there is a problem or conflict, it surely must be because of my wife. This is the most damning evidence that I am completely absorbed by my pride and ego. Thanks be to God that He provided me with a help-mate, my wife who by her excellent conduct and patience, helps me become a better man and the husband that God created me to be. I should not boast if my wife gets her patience from living with me. I am continually humbled and thankful that God blessed me with a wife who is far more caring and compassionate to me than I will ever be to her or myself.
Where does she get her patience?
She receives it from God, our Heavenly Father, who by His grace and mercy, blessed me with a such a godly woman.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 