Words

"You didn't bake the bread long enough." [Do it yourself next time.]

"Did you feed him?" [You really think I'd let him starve?]

"The laundry isn't folded." [Your hands aren't busy right now.]

"What took you so long to get out of work?" [A late customer. My boss. Any number of things.]

"What else did you discuss?" [Do I need to tape record every conversation so you can listen in?]

"Why do we always have food go bad in the fridge?" [Because you are tired of leftovers.]

"There's work you could have been doing instead of going for a walk." [I need fresh air and girl talk to keep my sanity.]

"This house is a disaster. We can't even have people over." [I'm not your maid. Take off your dirty shoes when you come in the door.]

These may just be thoughts and comments, but they come across like knives, swords, fightin' words. Accusations. Questions. Doubts. Criticisms.

Can't measure up. Can't even figure out what the measuring system is.

Marriage is tough, you know? It's not nearly as rosy as engagement pictures and romance novels make it sound. We have expectations. We bring baggage. Expectations and baggage sometimes collide.

Oh sure, I could give an entire list of things my husband said that hurt. He could probably do the same for things I've said (although he says my method of attack is less words and more tone of voice. Ahem.). There are many, many minutes when I want to throw in the towel. Heck, I'll throw in the whole laundry basket.

But then there's God. He has a plan. He knows the ins and outs. He also has a reason for putting the two of us together. So I'll trust in that. And I'll pay more attention during Ladies Bible Study as we read "Words That Hurt, Words That Heal" by Carol Mayhall. I'll bring my highlighter and my pen. The Lord already knows I'll need them.