“to obey”

One of my favorite quotes is:

“Let the wife make the husband glad to come home and let the husband make the wife sorry to see him leave”. (Martin Luther)

While I respect the Lutheran denomination, I am not Lutheran. I think this quote by Martin Luther is brilliant!

What’s it mean? What is he really saying? I think this is a great example of what a marriage should be.

Too many people, especially Christians focus on the “submit” thing. When talking with a pastor over twenty years ago when we were planning our wedding ceremony, I insisted the words “to obey” be changed. “To Obey” implies a wrong attitude in my humble opinion!

What does it mean to “Let the wife make the husband glad to come home”?
Some of the things I do to make my husband glad to come home include:
* Create an atmosphere where our home is a sanctuary, a safe place where where he can relax, where he can play, where he can laugh, cry and love.
* A home where there’s clean clothes, clean linens, food to eat
* A home where we entertain others, welcome others, love others and enjoy community with others
* A home where he receives encouragement, unconditional love, support and friendship

What does it mean to “let the husband make the wife sorry to see him leave”?
Some of the things my husband does that makes me sorry to see him leave include:
* Taking on tasks and responsibilities without being asked, seeing a need and taking care of it
* Saying “sleep in”, I’ve got it; packing a lunch, making breakfast, doing a load of laundry
* Showing love, friendship, being supportive and encouraging
* Saying “I Love You”, verbalizing and showing his appreciation for my efforts

As we live our married lives with the attitude this quote implies, there’s no need for the submit issue or the “to obey” words!

“misfit”

A couple of decades ago, I remember thinking, we’re really good with the “misfits” when I thought about the “kids” who seemed to become part of our lives.

As I’ve gotten older, I understand why those misfits were always drawn to us. I’m a misfit.

I’m also an idealist. I look at life a little differently than others look at life.

I’m not into materialism or consumerism. If I have a BAG to carry my stuff in, I’m happy. I don’t know very much about the fancy designer brands. I don’t desire them and I’m not impressed by them. I like Levi’s, Eddie Bauer, Lands End, etc and it is usually based on durability, comfort and then, of course, looks. I’m not exactly a minimalist either. I like quality stuff around me. I like comfortable things to wear and use.

I find the psycho sales babble that works for some people insulting to my intelligence and I’m not claiming to be the smartest person around!

I’m into living within my means even if that means it seems sacrificial compared to others in this country. I do not like to use credit for things that aren’t necessary, basically, that’s for anything other than our house.

I recently heard about someone paying $3,500 for a dog. I’d spend $3,500 on my dog if he were ill but I’d never pay $3,500 for a dog.

There’s times I try to become “normal” but then I wonder WHY. I really don’t want to be normal. I don’t have the desire for what most people consider a normal life. As I said recently to a friend, “I’m embracing my weirdness!”