Have you ever heard the saying “talk is cheap”? I have. Lots of times growing up, during my teen years and even as an adult. I’ve even used that saying myself a time or two or three, I think you get the point. I like most people would rather see action than hear words. You know actions speak louder then words. Then I got thinking about this and realized talking isn’t cheap if anything NOT TALKING costs a person. No, it doesn’t actually cost people money, but it does cost them time and energy. Most importantly it costs them/me happiness.
I realized this morning when I only concentrate on me. Things don’t work out. When I refuse to talk to my husband about anything the only person I’m truly hurting is myself. Well actually not even that I’m hurting my husband too. I’m hurting us and our marriage by not talking to him about what is bothering me. I’ve realized that even though my husband thinks differently about things talking with him, if nothing else, at least keeps communication going between us. And being held by him, being close to him and knowing he has me in his arms, that actually makes me feel better. It gives me strength that I need. After all God did give me my husband for a reason.
Another thing I realized this week is it’s just as important for my kids to be able to talk to their dad and I about anything. They need to know it’s okay to talk to mom and dad. They need to remember we are here for them and we can talk about whatever so we know how to figure things out.
For me personally coming from an Italian family that is used to NOT talking to each other when they are mad at each other or there was a disagreement about something which causes silence between them, I’m used to the not talking part. However I also know that talking with my husband is an important part of our marriage. As well as talking with my kids is important for our relationship as well.
My husband and I started watching some videos by Francis Chan for our devotions this week and those videos got me thinking. I believe they touched my heart as well. They have been a good reminder for me to look to God first. To talk with my husband. To be happy with him and our marriage (not that we have a bad marriage). To show grace and love towards each other. To not put any blame on the other person. But to show love and respect.
Kathleen Smith is an indie author and blogger and she has her own podcast Kathleen’s Korner. You can read about Kathleen, her husband and how they got through three miscarriages together in Miscarriages My Story