Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife (or husband, friend, or parent) Proverbs 21:9
The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone. 2 Tim. 2:24
Gracious Jesus, I used to read this proverb with the image of a group of “good” men sitting around a Judean campfire complaining about their nagging, “drippy faucet,” wives. How arrogant and “man-ish” of me. As though only women and wives can be quarrelsome. Have mercy.
Today I own my quarrelsomeness, and ask you to free me for far more healthy and redemptive ways of expressing disappointment, making a point, and engaging in conflict.
Jesus, when I lose sight of the real issue and simply get argumentative with my spouse, friends, or colleagues, arrest my proud heart. I’m aware that sometimes my need to “win,” or get the last word in, sabotages my commitment to love well. The result is never good.
When I fester, rather than rest in you, expose my insecure ways for what they really are—I’m assuming the role of the 4th member of the Trinity. Lord, there’s no joy in driving the people I love onto the corner of a roof.
Jesus, when I protest more than I pray, when I launch before I listen, when I’m more self-righteous than either right or righteous; when I repay nag for nag, petty for petty, immaturity with immaturity, convict me, forgive me and change me.
Jesus, bring your non-anxious presence to bear more fully in my heart. You are never quarrelsome and you’re always kind to everyone. Live your grace-full life in me and through me. Help me to relax without becoming passive; to trust without becoming naïve; and to engage without controlling anyone but myself.
Because the gospel is true, I have great hope for change. Because the gospel is true, I repent with joy. So very amen, I pray, in your compassionate and kind name.
