This week I am focusing on something simple. On Instagram, I follow a beautiful lady named Ruth (@gracelaced is her Instagram name). A few days ago, a quote from Ruth settled in my heart and began taking root:
That because I had already aligned my heart with thanksgiving (and not greeting my husband with chaos and grumpiness)…by God’s grace I was able to meet the change of plans with patience, joy, and even a care package of dinner for our friends. God’s callings are truly his enabling.
When my husband walks through the door in the evening, my first reaction has been to complain. I justified this by saying that I just needed to vent and confide in him.
This week, I am praying to meet him with a smile and kind words. I want to welcome him with an offer to let him rest instead of throwing the undone dinner, homework, house, and everything in-between at him. This is going to take some work. I have trained myself that at 5:31 each day that he better walk through that door ready to help.
The ironic part – he does this. He does this without fail. Today he is taking Riley with him to a doctor’s appointment so that I can do a maternity session. He is the most giving and kind husband.
I have let myself fall into an ugly trap. If just one thing doesn’t go as planned, I come undone.
But, I’m going to work on this.
How do you welcome your family home? I’d love to hear any tips!
I’ve found the best thing I can do is welcome him with a simple hug, and give him 15 – 20 minutes to do his thing before I even ask how his day went… or start to talk about mine. It’s all to easy for me to throw it all at him without giving him a moment to decompress. It took me a long time (too long) to understand that, but since I have begun it makes the evenings together so much more enjoyable.
Good reminder to all of us
How smart of you to figure this out so young. Men have so many stresses during the day that home is, or should be, their refuge from the world. Whether we like it or not, we set the tone for the family. You are certainly on the right track…bless you.
This blesses my heart, Kate. I’m praying that you are richly blessed this week as you strive in his strength and do it all to his glory.