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Day’s Verse:
But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course…
Acts 20:24
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Suddenly, lately, I have begun feeling the disparity in my situation: married and attempting to maintain an apartment at age 20, yet struggling to complete papers, readings, and the necessary studying to succeed at my Junior year in college.
For instance, this morning I got up and read two articles on rhetoric, marking the text conscienciously. Then as my hunger asserted itself I proceeded to the kitchen and whipped up a batch of pancake batter, which drew the “children” out of their respective warm cubbyholes (bed proper and bedroom, respectively). Each sat down when I placed a pancake on his plate; they ate with rapidity not entirely due to the 45° temperature of the living room. As soon as the last pancake crumb disappeared off the plate, they too disappeared, leaving me watching bubbles slowly pop on the next pancake in line. When everybody finished, two messy plates and sets of silverware remained sitting forlornly, waiting for the cleaning touch of water and sponge, so I washed them along with all the obligatory pots, pans and pancake flippers.
Somehow I felt that my desire for pancakes, while satiated, had been replaced by another less easily met longing: for some acknowledgment of my surprisingly difficult position, or for some word of thanks or appreciation from my husband and our roommate, perhaps. Or maybe just some company, somebody to talk to and to listen to while my hands chap in the nice hot water or my ears ring with the roar of a vacuum cleaner. Maybe this is why I check my email, blog comments, and mailbox so frequently – a secret hope that I have enough interest within myself for people to voluntarily seek out communication with me. Think about it…and in the meantime, I’m going to go check my email.
– KF –
“. . . Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. and to give his life as a ramsom for many.” Mark 10:43-45
The Christian life is, in large part, about being a servant and the role of a wife and mother does, in large part, consist of serving. I believe that is why it is so hard and why so many women chafe at that traditional role. That does not, however, excempt those being served from being grateful and showing their appreciation!
Karie, Sometimes it is necessary to ask for what you need,help.conversation or thanks. You need to express your wants and need,sometimes more than once as men will let you do as much as you do and just expect it. Help with cleaning up and thanks needs to be asked for and then if the same continues,just cook for yourself. You are all in the same situation and chours need to be shared. GMIL
I agree that Christians should be servants, but being a wife should not immediately place the burden of all chores on you. If you’re ever bored doing chores and it’s after, say, 9 AM and you have a phone that will reach, go ahead and call me. I will stimulate you with my scintillating conversation.
Oooo scintillating! Of course that’s exactly what I should expect from someone whose tones are as dulcet as yours.