December 8th, 2022
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Relationship Over Being Right
By: Lori Ennis
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13
Several years ago, while our husbands were deployed, a good friend of mine lived with me before they moved into their house in their new duty station. She was pregnant, and after a few weeks, we both realized that we sometimes got on each other’s nerves. And while we’d sometimes let that aggravation get out and have a few words, for the most part, we would just bite our tongues and quietly forgive the annoyance. Our friendship was too important to let unimportant day-to-day grievances tarnish it with silly squabbles.
But it got me to thinking about how if my HUSBAND did the same things that my friend did, I’d have snapped at him like a hungry crocodile. It embarrassed me that I valued my relationship enough with my friend to hold back, but took that of my husband for granted.
That happens a lot, doesn’t it?
Don’t believe me? Take a poll of families walking into church this Sunday and ask who was grumbling and grousing in the car just seconds before they popped out as the picture-perfect family.
I’m pretty sure we’re all guilty of not extending the same grace to our spouses and kids that we do others because they’re our unconditional safe places. Which, unfortunately, also often makes them the ones who get the brunt of our grudge-holding.
Just in writing this, I’m challenged to more purposefully bite my tongue and forgive grievances quietly this week in the name of relationship over being right.
Care to join me?
Relationship Over Being Right
By: Lori Ennis
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13
Several years ago, while our husbands were deployed, a good friend of mine lived with me before they moved into their house in their new duty station. She was pregnant, and after a few weeks, we both realized that we sometimes got on each other’s nerves. And while we’d sometimes let that aggravation get out and have a few words, for the most part, we would just bite our tongues and quietly forgive the annoyance. Our friendship was too important to let unimportant day-to-day grievances tarnish it with silly squabbles.
But it got me to thinking about how if my HUSBAND did the same things that my friend did, I’d have snapped at him like a hungry crocodile. It embarrassed me that I valued my relationship enough with my friend to hold back, but took that of my husband for granted.
That happens a lot, doesn’t it?
Don’t believe me? Take a poll of families walking into church this Sunday and ask who was grumbling and grousing in the car just seconds before they popped out as the picture-perfect family.
I’m pretty sure we’re all guilty of not extending the same grace to our spouses and kids that we do others because they’re our unconditional safe places. Which, unfortunately, also often makes them the ones who get the brunt of our grudge-holding.
Just in writing this, I’m challenged to more purposefully bite my tongue and forgive grievances quietly this week in the name of relationship over being right.
Care to join me?
Recent
Archive
2026
January
The Quiet Struggles Right Next to UsThank you... in advanceA New ThingA Personal GodNot a Moment of HesitationFaith, Family, and a Broken JarAll InThe SoapboxLord, Help Me See...Hidden for our GoodBorrowed KeysIncreasing CapacityDo You Feel It?Great BoldnessProlific SeedsChained, but not BoundRoadblocksI Can Do Hard ThingsNot the Easy WayThe OpportunistHoly Ground on the StairwellUrgent Work
February
United with PurposeGod Gives the GrowthWhat about me?A Guilty Mom, a Gracious God, and the Road HomeDiscipline over DesireWhat is your thorn?What does love require of me?Comparison is a ThiefTrying to be holy in a distracted worldReplacementThe Joyful MessengerTwo Wrongs Don't Make a RightBut How Does It End?Holy Intentions, Human DistractionsLive a Worthy LifePray for MeBut is it true?On this DayWords that Build a Better WorldFor What Is True
2025
January
Paralysis of AnalysisA Daily CommitmentChild Like FaithThe Battle of the MindGPSSTOP. THINK. ACT. REVIEW.Let. It. Go.Choosing the Path of MercyQuick to Listen, Slow to SpeakPeacemakersBe Careful What You Wish ForRunYour Old Self Vs. The NewOn Not Loving the WorldLove One AnotherTreasure ChestsWho Sets the Bar?Be the You God Made You to BeTread a PathSo Much Better
February
Trust and ObeyA Pivotal MomentOh to Be the Mama of JesusA Fresh StartVictory or DefeatThe Edge of the CliffAuthorityHis Personal TouchForged by FaithSabbath - Setting You FreeHave You Prayed About It?Don't Build Your House on Sandy LandThe Centurion's FaithDon't Be OffendedWe All Need ItLighthouseIt's a Family ThingWhere the Ministry isHolding on by a Thread - and That's EnoughTraveling Essentials
Categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments