Marriage Moats-Sisters

Published: Sat, 03/19/11

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

Yesterday a friend told me about a piece of advice her minister had given her that changed her marriage. She had gone to him feeling angry that her husband did not listen to her the way she had hoped.

"Do you have a sister, or women you can talk to?" he asked.

"Yes, I do," she answered, confused.

"Keep them. Talk with them. Your husband probably will not be able to listen to you they way they can and even want to. Let him provide other ways of enriching your life."

She left his office with a shift in her expectations. Her husband was a good man, who provided for their family, showed up in many ways, and was faithful to her. But he was never partial to those gab sessions she was hoping for.

"But some husbands listen to their wives!" she argued to herself on the way home.

Maybe. Some of the time. But if that is not an ingredient in your marital recipe, it does not mean you have to starve.

My friend came to peace with what her husband brings to the relationship. And when she wants someone to hunker down and listen to all the details of her day... she comes to my house.

Photo by Jenny Stein