I folded my arms and stared out the car’s passenger window. I couldn’t believe this one simple question still caused conflict between my husband and me. What do you want to do this weekend?
I’ll admit Curt’s outgoing personality was one of the qualities I first liked about him. He could talk to anyone, even the stranger standing behind him in the grocery store checkout line. But after we got married, our personality differences became a real problem. Time and again Curt’s desire to socialize clashed with my need for a peaceful evening at home. Now, here we were again, on our way to a party I’d rather not attend.
A popular song from our dating days broke the tension. I turned up the radio and tapped my foot to the lively beat. Curt drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. Before long we were both singing together in unison.
At the chorus, I switched to a higher pitch and harmonized with Curt as he sang the melody. The song sounded even better. We blend pretty well together, I thought. Two different parts added a richness that one voice couldn’t achieve.
As we continued singing, my mind drifted back to our argument. If only we could blend that well in our marriage. Curt and I were so different.
Then suddenly it hit me. That’s how God intended it to be in marriage! God made us different by design. Though our differences sometimes created tension, God knew we’d be better together.
Over time, I started thinking of my marriage like that song. Instead of clashing with my husband, I looked for ways I could blend with him. Instead of arguing with him, I tried understanding him.
We now see how our differences have made us more effective as a couple than we ever could have been individually. Maybe I needed a little push to join the rest of the world. And I think Curt has realized a quiet evening at home isn’t so bad after all.
After almost twenty years of marriage, we are learning to appreciate our differences. We’re getting better at blending, and our marriage is more beautiful today because we each add our part.
I’ll admit Curt’s outgoing personality was one of the qualities I first liked about him. He could talk to anyone, even the stranger standing behind him in the grocery store checkout line. But after we got married, our personality differences became a real problem. Time and again Curt’s desire to socialize clashed with my need for a peaceful evening at home. Now, here we were again, on our way to a party I’d rather not attend.
A popular song from our dating days broke the tension. I turned up the radio and tapped my foot to the lively beat. Curt drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. Before long we were both singing together in unison.
At the chorus, I switched to a higher pitch and harmonized with Curt as he sang the melody. The song sounded even better. We blend pretty well together, I thought. Two different parts added a richness that one voice couldn’t achieve.
As we continued singing, my mind drifted back to our argument. If only we could blend that well in our marriage. Curt and I were so different.
Then suddenly it hit me. That’s how God intended it to be in marriage! God made us different by design. Though our differences sometimes created tension, God knew we’d be better together.
Over time, I started thinking of my marriage like that song. Instead of clashing with my husband, I looked for ways I could blend with him. Instead of arguing with him, I tried understanding him.
We now see how our differences have made us more effective as a couple than we ever could have been individually. Maybe I needed a little push to join the rest of the world. And I think Curt has realized a quiet evening at home isn’t so bad after all.
After almost twenty years of marriage, we are learning to appreciate our differences. We’re getting better at blending, and our marriage is more beautiful today because we each add our part.
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(As printed in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Wives)
*Photo from freedigitalphotos.net: "Sheet Music" by Grant Cochrane
(As printed in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Wives)
*Photo from freedigitalphotos.net: "Sheet Music" by Grant Cochrane
