I want to go on a marriage strike!
A marriage strike would be my way to get my husband to take notice of all that I do for him. It would give me space to speak my heart, freely complain, and get the last word of an argument. I would have the liberty to be selfish and stingy. I can just think about myself, demand my own way, and consider only my needs.
{I can’t believe I just said all that. I am cringing at the thoughts I sometimes think!}
Although I have never gone on an actual marriage strike, I have done it in my heart. There are moments where I just want to call it day, give up, and stop trying. If you have been married for any length of time you know that some days everything from communicating to intimacy takes HARD WORK; while, other times, marriage is full of roses and rainbows.
It is these times of constant tension that make most married couples want to pack up and leave.
When my husband and I were dating and engaged there were moments where I wanted to break up, or at least just take my ring off and pretend as if I was single again…I did both! I was still clinging to my own life, where I could be selfish and moody without affecting someone else.
Now that we are married unfortunately that hasn’t changed, except for this fact… we are in a covenant together. Although the dirty side still comes out, when we yell at each other, hold grudges, or go to bed angry, I know that we both will never utter the words, “I quit!”
Although divorce isn’t an option for us, a marriage strike would be a nice alternative! A time where we can just vent, cling to our rights, and demand more love and respect.
Sure, I might look silly picketing outside my house, but I could at least feel better and get my point across more clearly. However, it would never solve
A
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Y
T
H
I
N
G.
I know because I have tried it. In my heart I declared, “No more laundry…no more food… I want more love and fun times too!”
But God did not design marriage to be one-week- off, one-week-on kind of thing. It is all day, every day, for the rest of our lives. This commitment is not worth complaining about. The hard work may be exhausting but it doesn’t do any good to moan and groan.
Hard work and commitment are actually the very two qualities that help us persevere through tense times and develop a stronger love for another.
It takes two people giving 100% to make a marriage flourish. Then the chant becomes two people in unison, “No more fighting… no more tears… we are here to love and serve…each other!”
Before you shout the words, “I give up!” Try giving even when it’s most difficult. Try selflessness even when all you want is your own way.
Put the strike on hold and persevere in your covenant love towards your man!
