Lessons from Dad

I remember one time when I was in the throes of young motherhood and was frazzled ninety nine percent of the time.  We were at church, where we used to attend with my parents and Todd's parents, and the boys were running around us, like they loved to do, and I snapped at my husband.  I don't remember why, or what he said or did to prompt that reaction from me, but Dad called me out on it the next time we saw each other.

Dad and I were talking, as usual, and he became really serious all of a sudden and said, "Jen, I need to talk to you about something."  He told me he had overheard me snap at Todd and was concerned that I'd belittled him in front of others.  He told me it was normal for a couple to argue and disagree on things, but that when things like that happened, make sure to handle in private, never in front of others.

Dad will never claim to be perfect, but he's been around a few decades and he has learned a thing or two about marriage.  I could have been offended when he told me this on that day, but rather than take that perspective, I thanked him for telling me that.  I know that wasn't easy for him, because I am his baby girl, but it needed to be done.  I'm glad he took the time to think about it for a few days, and pray, knowing him, before he confronted me with this.  What a godly example!  I sure can appreciate that, and I am so fortunate to have such a father as him.

And about how I could have been offended...friends, if we profess to be a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, then we must learn to take captive our thoughts when they run away, and make them obedient to Him.  (2 Corinthians 10:5)  That "mama bear" instinct is real, but it needs to be squished down.  It's not God-honoring, that instinct, and we must honor Him in how we think, in what we say, and how we act.  I seem to relearn this every so often, when I'm not acting Christ like.

I want to remember this conversation forever.

Love to all.