Marriage Moats-Apology

Published: Wed, 01/30/13

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

I offended a friend. Fortunately for me this person was willing to tell me. That opened the door for me to apologize, and sharpened my sense of good boundaries. For that I am grateful.

Like many people, I shy away from reprimands. Part of me doesn't want to know when I have wronged someone. But that is foolish. Then I am doomed to make the same mistake again.

There are diseases that strike without warning. I read a story about an artist who contracted a painless fungus that robbed her of sight. There are people born without the ability to feel hurt. Discomfort is sometimes the only avenue we have to locating the problem, yet it is tempting to blame the sting.

Heartache shows up in marriage. We live in close proximity and it is inevitable that we will stomp on each other with our words or actions. One phrase to use is simply "Ouch".

Michele Weiner Davis warns that if your wife has nagged for years, and suddenly quits, look out. Husbands may see it as relief, but it can be an indication that she has given up and is composing an exit strategy. Not that I am a fan of nagging.

I appreciate the people in my life who can find ways to tell me how I have bruised them. John included.

Photo by Jenny Stein

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