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A Better Place to Live

" It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home" (Proverbs 21:9 NLT)
And in case I flew by that verse, I received affirmation by this one: " It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. (Proverbs 21:19 NLT)" 

I had to help Jim change out the air filter in the AC unit the other day. The unit is located in the attic. I had not seen the attic in our new house until then. It's not what you might picture an attic to look like from the movies. There are no windows,  room for much storage or even flooring. The pull down staircase leads to a dark peaked room with one light bulb at the top of the ladder  that requires a pull of a chain to illuminate. Exposed pink insulation between the wood beams makes it difficult to maneuver to the other side on the small room. The AC unit is located across the beams. I watched Jim gently walk/crawl to the AC unit. It didn't look comfortable one bit, much less livable. 

Could someone actually live in that dark stuffy so-called room? What a miserable way to live! 
Or alone in the desert? I've seen enough of the desert having lived on the West Coast most of my life. Sandy, parched land void of water and vegetation. Little to no shade for protection from the sun or other harmful elements and critters. 

According to Gods Word, which I believe is absolute truth. My husband is better off living alone in the corner of an attic or starving in the desert, than with me as a complaining, argumentative,   wife. Other bible translations say " nagging". As in " to annoy by persistent faultfinding, complaints, or demands. Or to cause pain, discomfort, distress, depression, etc. "

I have been very convicted lately on my constant complaining. Whether that be complaining to my husband about other people not meeting my needs or expectations or persistently finding fault in my husband that he isn't doing things the way I think they should be done. We have had a lot of workers in and out of the house. Jim will come home after a long day of work and ask " how did it go with so and so here" and I unload on how so and so didn't do this or that. I find myself getting all worked up and angry. Or I think something should be done ( or left alone ) and Jim thinks differently so I persist until I cause enough discomfort that he gives in. This is causing harm and stress that neither of us need. 

My role as his wife is to be his helpmate, not to cause pain, discomfort or make demands. I want to be a safe place that he wants to come home to! A home that is far better than an attic or desert! A Home that is not only comfortable, warm and welcoming but where he also finds a respectful, loving encouraging wife that helps him to be the man God desires him to be. 

Pressing On 

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