What I’ve learned in marriage: to give sometimes

Once upon a time, in our early years of sharing a name and a home, Ryan and I concocted the Ultimate Telling Question about marriage.

Let’s say that the mister and missus are going outside to dig in the yard. Maybe she needs a new flowerbed, or maybe the septic system is acting up again. One of their two shovels is a little unwieldy; the other is the perfect size, strong and reliable, with a comfortable handle grip.

WHO GETS THE BETTER SHOVEL?

We came at this point to an impasse, because in our families of origin the answer was obvious. And opposite.

In Ryan’s family, his mother would have offered the better shovel to her husband (of course!), because he is the king of their castle. She is a helper well suited to her husband, coming alongside him in his work. In my family, my dad would have offered the better shovel to his wife (of course!), because he is a gentleman. He treats his lady with deference, showing honor to her as the weaker vessel. Both families have a strong Scriptural precedent on their side.

Did you know that men and women can come to marriage with very different expectations? And that the longer they are held, the touchier they become? It got to the place that Ryan couldn’t stick his head in the door to ask for a drink of water without me feeling put upon and treated like a doormat.

Sometimes we wonder what would have happened if the Coblentz half of our marriage had been masculine and the Zook half had been feminine. We might have had the most mutually sacrificial, boring marriage in the history of ever; except we’re human too, and we’d have managed to mess it up somehow.

But listen now – The most important phrase in that whole scenario is the one most easily overlooked. I said one of the spouses “would have offered.” With joy. Would have come into the situation with the expectation of giving. The longer we looked at that posture, the more beautiful it became, and we both wanted a share in it. Happiness came to this Zook-and-Coblentz-match-of-differing-expectations when we decided that in our marriage, it would go either way. Many couples have found harmony on one side of the question or the other, including our beautiful parents – but for us, there would be no “of course.” In the most extreme sense: I don’t have to kowtow to a heap big man; he doesn’t have to indulge a queen. We are heirs together of the grace of life.

These days, sometimes he offers me the better shovel and sometimes I offer it to him (though I often suspect I’m getting the better end of the deal). It’s sort of funny now.


Ryan and I have a deep respect and gratitude for all four of our parents. Each set has grown in love together for 45 years – a miraculous and incredible legacy.

Subscribe
Notify of
13 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Derek
6 years ago

Good one 🙂

Maureen Miller
6 years ago

Well said dear!

Shaunda
6 years ago

Good stuff. We all need to be reminded of this often. The thought of offering with joy is key in a healthy marriage but it extends to healthy/happy relationships in general. Accepting with joy is another crucial element.

Rachel
6 years ago

That sounds soooo familiar! ?We’re currently on an anniversary trip and both trying to make this The Best Trip, by employing the very tricks you mentioned. It works!!!! It really does….. except… I haven’t successfully managed this during certain moon phases;)

think pms. Any answers for that?

Jo
6 years ago

I love this! And as someone mentioned above, accepting with joy is part of the equation as well. So if you ever want to tackle that…:) or perhaps you already have. Thanks for this!

Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Shari Zook

Yes. I was just praying about that very thing this morning.

Lisa
6 years ago

So very familiar!

6 years ago

As far as the shovel, our household would definitely be Coblentz. 🙂 I love this. Its right on.

6 years ago

I don’t think either of our families had any scriptural way to do this that they impressed upon me but my gut feeling in this scenario would be, “I know my husband will get a lot more done with a strong shovel than I will! ” lol But I get the drift- it’s not just about shovels but about selfish people. It’s a lifetime struggle with the big I! Thanks for addressing that.

Yesenia Neufeld
6 years ago

Hi Shari,
Thank you so much for writing about this! As a young wife, approaching our first wedding anniversary, I know what the “doormat” feeling is, oh so well! Thank you for providing a positive perspective and for the encouragement “to give sometimes”.
Blessings,
Yesenia

Lydia nolt
4 years ago

Thanks for this great post!!! Something my hubby and I are definitely growing in:) just had our first yr anniversary… got lots to learn!

13
0
Join the conversation to share your comments.x
Scroll to Top