Last Second Changes…

I was so discouraged! My plans for a delectable dinner with my bride had fallen apart. A last-minute meeting meant that I didn’t have time to properly marinate my tandori chicken. Instead of the 10 hours the recipe called for I was throwing it together at the last minute. The great day I was expecting had turned crummy and was sinking fast! ARGH! Have you ever felt discouraged, disappointed or frustrated because of last-second changes to your plans? How do you deal with change?

I have learned three things that help me handle unexpected changes whether it’s dealing with work, my kids, or my marriage:

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Thermostat Wars, Dishwasher Battles, and the TV Remote.

Are you always resetting the thermostat to a more comfortable temperature for you?

Do you worry that the dishes aren’t properly cleaned because the dishwasher wasn’t loaded properly?

Do you wonder:

- who’s going to get the remote off the top of the TV after you’ve both become comfortable on the couch?
– does the person who gets the remote off the top of the TV get to keep it?
– who had the remote last when it’s disappeared for the 382nd time?
– why doesn’t my spouse understand that when channel surfing you must catch a wave and ride for awhile instead of changing channels every .00173 seconds.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

What’s the secret to dealing with these conflicts without resorting to pistols at 20 paces?

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Can you hear me now?

Have you ever wondered if your spouse really heard what you said? Happens to me all the time.  It’s my fault a lot of the time unfortunately.  Here are some ways I unwittingly sabotage our communication:

- Ask a question while I’m standing at the sink and then turn the water on before I get a reply.

- Yell up the stairs and expect my wife to hear me when she’s doing laundry and both the washer and dryer are running.

- Ask for something when she’s tired, hungry, or trying to get the kids out the door for church, piano lessons, swim practice, school, etc., etc., etc.

It’s really not intentional!

My bride is smart though. Here are 8 ways she’s figured out to make sure she has my full attention:

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