Often in marriage one spouse is learning, gaining insights, and excited to be on a Growth Mission. At the same time their spouse may have less interest in engaging in emotional growth.

At a recent Men’s retreat I heard these two difficult comments:

COMMENT #1

“I know I’m the problem. I’m a mess! It’s always been me. And, I can’t change. I’ve always been like this. I know I’m the problem with our marriage. My wife wants me to grow and change. It’s me. It’s always been me resisting change.
(I smiled at the honesty of this statement.)

COMMENT#2

“I’m fine. I tell my wife to just leave me alone. You are the one with the problem. I’m okay. Why do you want me to change? I can’t change. I’ve always been this way. You work on you! You are the one that’s unhappy!
(This comment made me sad.)

It does not matter that one of you is faster than the other. It only matters that both spouses are working on emotional-spiritual growth.

Homework

Taking small steps forward provides hope. It might be a good idea for a wife to ask her husband to read these daily posts to her. Hopefully, these posts will create small dialogues that can in time grow into longer, deeper conversations.

Bible Connection

“Submit to one another.” It’s easy to resist, argue and stay the same. But, we are told to submit to each other.

Prayer

Father, help us submit to each other. And, ultimately submit to you. Help us be one. As you are one and you love oneness. Amen