day 272: beatitudes

I was walking around the block on Saturday, leaving my sister a voice mail, when I saw an older woman in my neighborhood out cleaning in her yard.  She called out to me and we sat on her porch and visited for awhile.  I asked her for a little insight into a parenting question, and she left me with something I have thought about since.

She said, When my son, Josh, was newly married he came home once to complain to me about his wife.  I told him to wait right there, and I came back out into the living room with a massager and told him to go home and use it on his wife after he gave her a foot rub.

I loved that.  Service in the face of adversity.  Loving those who seem to despitefully use you.  Peacemaking.

Sound familiar?

11 comments

LisAway | May 18, 2010 at 3:15 AM

What a great anecdote. Service really does have a LOT of benefits to the server. I'm going to remember this and implement it. I've lately started one of those stupid feeling slightly sorry for myself periods where I feel mistreated (i.e. I'm starting to get selfish) Time to get out the massager!

Becca | May 18, 2010 at 6:16 AM

I've always tried to refrain from complaining about my husband (at all, you know) but especially to my parents. Because when it's all said and done, I'll get over it, but will they?
I love the idea of service in the face of adversity. What a great example.

Miss Tinselly | May 18, 2010 at 6:36 AM

Love this...and the new jukebox too!

gigi | May 18, 2010 at 6:40 AM

Wise neighbor :)

Heidi | May 18, 2010 at 8:49 AM

I hope that I can be so wise when faced with the same problem. My parents must have done something right b/c I would never have dreamed of complaining to my parents about my husband. I just knew what they would say. Then again, I had no complaints, so who knows?

Kazzy | May 18, 2010 at 9:14 AM

My parents were the same way. They loved G and didn't want to hear my whining about him. And when I got married some of the best advice I got was when my mom said, "I don't want to be your best friend."

Lola Sharp | May 18, 2010 at 1:19 PM

I love her advice. But I love where you took it even more. You always break things down to the simple essence of the real matter.

I guess I also realize how blessed I am. I have never once complained about my husband...because after all these years of marriage, he still makes me laugh and treats me so well, there just isn't anything to complain about. Being his wife is easy.

Another lovely post, K.

Love,
Lola

The Crash Test Dummy | May 18, 2010 at 1:23 PM

That is sooooo good. What a wise woman.

Charlotte | May 18, 2010 at 7:09 PM

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I love those I serve. Serving always takes the umph out of being mad.

Connie | May 18, 2010 at 9:06 PM

She's a wise mother. I'm assuming her son, Josh, is still happily married.

Bossy Betty | May 18, 2010 at 10:19 PM

Good mama. She was right! Thanks for sharing this!