How to respond when husband helping backfires

Last Updated on October 25, 2023 by Andrea

He Tried to Help…

The other day my husband wanted some Parmesan cheese. It was odd that I didn’t have any in the refrigerator already. I woke up the next morning and saw a new bottle, front and center in our fridge.

My first thought was, “He bought the wrong one!” My heart raced for a minute while I huffed and puffed.

Now, ladies. Maybe cheese isn’t your thing. Maybe it’s the “right” toilet paper or baking chocolate. I believe we all have our hot button brand/variety issue. We want the “right” one, regardless of the reason. Maybe it’s soft, low-lint, bakes well, tastes the best. You get the idea.

Hindering or Helping?

It took a second for me to realize the reality. My husband saw a need and filled it. He got what HE thought was best.

Here’s the upside – he didn’t add something to my to-do list. He didn’t ask me to get it. I truly am grateful that he didn’t interrupt my day with three questions about my cheese preferences. He respected my time, I need to respect his adult decisions and be grateful for him. It’s just cheese, after all. And honestly, if I wanted a particular kind of Parmesan cheese, I probably should have had plenty on hand so that he wouldn’t be forced to go get it himself.

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Take Home Message

Let’s be grateful for what our spouse does for us.

Even if it’s “wrong,” we can appreciate the effort. That effort might be loading the dishwasher, getting the kids ready for bed, or buying something for the home. He made the effort, let’s honor that effort with gratitude. When we express gratitude for someone, we are showing that we value the relationship and we are reinforcing behaviors we’d like to continue seeing. When we express gratitude like this we are living out God’s will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I’ll be doing the same this week.

❓ What’s your “hot button” brand or item? Tell me below in the comments.

With love,

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