For Marriage, Family & Parenting

As I have helped marriages over the years I find that Pride is a toxic intruder into relationships. These notations were penned to put pride on the table and expose arrogance for what it is.

My prayer is that couples who read these lines become convicted and inspired and that their relationships benefit from the result.

PRIDE versus HUMILITY

I AM IMPORTANT
I am to be treated with respect, but you may be overlooked.
My wishes are to be acted upon immediately, others can wait.
I am not to be interrupted, but I may interrupt others.
My opinion is valuable, others are of little worth.
I am allowed to voice my disapproval, others must not disapprove of me.
I am allowed to be impatient with others, they cannot be impatient with me.
I deserve the best, others will take what is left.
My will is not to be crossed, but the will of others must yield.
I have the right to react any way I want to without needing to explain myself or justify my actions, but others have to account to me for their actions and reactions as and when I call them to.

WHAT I AM DOING IS IMPORTANT
I must focus on what I am doing, even if that means others are ignored.
My needs must be attended to, even if that means others must wait.
I am allowed to resent and react to interruptions, but others must allow me to interrupt them whenever I need to.

YOU ARE IMPORTANT
I treat you with respect, even if you ignore me.
Your wishes are to be acted on immediately, mine can wait.
You are not to be interrupted, but you may interrupt me.
Your opinion is valuable, mine can be ignored.
I will not disapprove of you.
I will not be impatient with you.
You deserve the best, and I will take what is left.

WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS IMPORTANT
You must focus on what you are doing, even if that means I am ignored.
Your needs are to be attended to, even if that means I must wait.
I allow you to interrupt me whenever you think you need to.

© Chris Field. July 31, 2000

He who finds a “wife” finds a good thing.
Sadly not all brides become “wives”. Some become tyrants, or combatants or something other than a “wife”.
ODE TO A WIFE illuminates the contrast of what a woman can be in her husband’s life. I pray that each husband find his wife to be his “treasure”.

ODE TO A WIFE

YOU ARE MY TREASURE

You give yourself to me as part of who I am.
You are my Treasure.
You are the perfect help for all I try to do.
You are my Treasure.

You are the best thing that ever happened to me.
You are my Treasure.
You are the greatest resource I have ever had at hand.
You are my Treasure.

You make up for my incompleteness.
You are my Treasure.
You lovingly submit yourself to me.
You are my Treasure.

YOU ARE THE TRAGEDY OF MY LIFE
You spend your time distracted by things important to you.
You are the tragedy of my life.
You give yourself to causes and people other than me.
You are the tragedy of my life.
You see me as irrelevant or even a nuisance in your way.
You are the tragedy of my life.

YOU ARE THE CURSE OF MY LIFE
You contend with me as if I am your foe.
You are the curse of my life.
You rebel against my plans and insist on your own way.
You are the curse of my life.

You take offence at everything I do and say.
You are the curse of my life.
You accuse me of bad intent and thought.
You are the curse of my life.

© Chris Field. July 12, 2000