Pride

            After Studying this week’s readings, the thing that really resonated with me was pride.  I can see how pride can be a problem in a marriage.  I can see how I personally have let pride affect my relationships.  I loved what Goddard said about the marker of pride.  He said, “God has graciously given each of us an early warning system.  When we are feeling irked, annoyed, or irritated with our spouse, we have our backs to heaven.  We are guilty of pride.”  Wow!  The part that really hit me was, “…we have our backs towards heaven.”   I do not want to have my back towards heaven.  I could literally think of 20 times that I was irked at my husband this week alone! 

            So what do we do to change that behavior.  The world would have us focusing on loving ourselves and fixing others.  What we are supposed to do is to fix ourselves and love others.  Loving others requires sacrifice and service.  I remember a time early in my marriage when I felt so annoyed with everything my husband was doing.  My bishop’s wife was a close family friend that had known me since I was born.  She came by one day to visit and I asked her if she ever felt mad at her husband.  She laughed and exclaimed, “yes”!  She said that when she was annoyed with him she would immediately do something to serve him.  That has stayed with me since then.  It is really hard to do sometimes.  When you are being selfless and serving someone else, the annoyance disappears and love takes its place. 

            I have decided that for the rest of this week, I am going to serve my husband every time I am upset or annoyed with him.  Even if it is a small act, I think it will really help.  I am excited to see what happens!