A Portrait of Pettiness

This morning while I was enjoying my breakfast I came across a story in one of my all time favorite collections of books. The Book of Virtues highlights many wonderful classics. Lately, I have been sharing some of the stories with the girls. They really enjoy the stories and it encourages us to talk about the moral or the lesson to be learned. Some are just fun stories but many times, like the one I read this morning, it truly opens my eyes to something that needs to change in my own life.

A commentary from William J. Bennett before the story reads: (pp.215-216)
This tale appears in different versions all over the world, from Sri Lanka to Scotland. This version warns us that pettiness can cause us to forget our obligations.

The story reads as follows:

There was once a young man who was said to be the most pigheaded fellow in town, and a young woman who was said to be the most mule-headed maiden, and of course they somehow managed to fall in love and be married. After the wedding ceremony, they had a grand feast at their new house, which lasted all day.

Finally all the friends and relatives could eat no more, and one by one they went home. The bride and groom collapsed from exhaustion, and were just getting ready to take off their shoes and relax, when the husband noticed that the last guest to leave had failed to close the door.

"My dear, " he said, "would you mind getting up and shutting the door? There's a draft coming in."

"Why should I shut it?" yawned the wife. "I've been on my feet all day, and I just sat down. You shut it."

"So that's the way it's going to be!" snapped the husband. "Just as soon as you get the ring on your finger, you turn into a lazy good-for-nothing!"

"How dare you!" shouted the bride. "We haven't even been married a day, and already you're calling me names and ordering me around! I should have known this is the kind of husband you'd turn out to be!"

"Nag, nag, nag," grumbled the husband. "Must I listen to your complaining forever?"

"And must I always listen to your carping and whining?" asked the wife.

They sat glaring at each other for a full five minutes. Then an idea popped into the bride's head.

"My dear," she said, "neither of us wants to shut the door, and both of us are tired of hearing the other's voice. So I propose a contest. The one who speaks first must get up and close the door."

"It's the best idea I've heard all day, " replied the husband. "Let us begin now."

So they made themselves comfortable, each on a chair, and sat face-to-face without saying a word.

They had been that way for about two hours when a couple of thieves with a cart passed by and saw the open door. they crept into the house, which seemed perfectly deserted, and began to steal everything they could lay their hands on. they took tables and chairs, pulled paintings off the walls, and even rolled up carpets. But the newlyweds neither spoke nor moved.

"I can't believe this, " thought the husband. "They'll take everything we own, and she won't make a sound."

"Why doesn't he call for help?" the wife asked herself. "Is he just going to sit there while they steal whatever they want?"

Eventually the thieves noticed the silent, motionless couple and mistaking them for wax figures, stripped them of their jewelry, watches, and wallets. But neither husband nor wife uttered a sound.

The robbers hurried away with their loot, and the newlyweds sat through the night. At dawn a policeman walked by and, noticing the open door, stuck in his head to ask if everything was all right. But, of course, he couldn't get an answer out of the silent couple.

"Now, see here!" he yelled, "I'm an officer of the law! Who are you? Is this your house? What happened to all your furniture?" And still getting no response, he raised his hands to box the man's ears.

"Don't you dare!" cried the wife, jumping to her feet. "That's my new husband, and if you lay a finger on him, you'll have to answer to me!"

"I won!" yelled the husband, clapping his hands. "Now go and close the door."



Although this seems a bit far-fetched, I find myself thinking back over times that I have been very petty with Duane. Is my marriage really that shallow that I would act like this? I had been struggling this morning with my thoughts over feeling that I was entitled to something, which I see now the Lord used this story to wake me up to my selfishness. It doesn't matter what the silly little issues are over, it is a matter of seeing my marriage for what it is worth. The thieves remind me of what Satan wants to do in our lives, our marriages. God's word says that he is a thief and he comes only to steal, kill and destroy. What ground do I allow him when I act like this?

I don't want my life to miss what fulfillment the Lord wants to bring. I realize that in order to fight the pettiness, I need to be willing to die to myself over and over. My marriage is definitely worth the work and sacrifice that we have put into it and I am willing to continue to fight against what Satan has planned for it in order to honor the Lord.

Late Night Run

So I am 32 weeks pregnant and I have finally given in to my cravings...

Duane is the sweetest husband around, even if he is complaining right now. He is on his way to Taco Bell. Yes, he is making a run for the border for me. I have held out as long as I can. I know he loves me or he would have given me the keys to the car and told me to go myself. He hasn't gone out for just me this entire pregnancy and I think that I have worn him thin. Usually he tells me, "Just sleep it off, Maria." So I try but I still crave something bad late at night. Nothing in the house looked good. I know that it sounds disgusting but maybe just this once and then my mind will be silenced!

Ah, the plight of the husband with a wife with pregnancy cravings...

He is a good man and he deserves kudos for his sacrifice.

Internal Alarm Clock

I think I am beginning to understand what an "internal alarm clock" is.


This morning, I was awakened to my little internal alarm clock. I felt a rush of movement from my little one in utero and woke up before my alarm clock began it's annoying beeping. My little one did a somersault in my belly and I was so excited to feel the baby move like that!

Duane and I had a discussion today about being a woman. He was asking me how I would feel if someone had told me that I could not experience carrying a child after I had already had the experience, if that makes sense. I told him I would be really sad. He asked me to help him understand what it is like to carry a baby inside. It is a tough thing to describe to a man since the only movement he can relate to is his bowel movements! I tried to explain the "butterflies" at the beginning of the pregnancy and then the stronger movements, kick, and flips as the pregnancy progresses.

It is THE most amazing thing I have ever experienced and I started to get sad that this probably will be my last chance to enjoy this time. I am so grateful to have had the chance to carry 4 babies. I have some good friends that will never have that experience. It breaks my heart for them.

What a privilege to be a woman! So often I bemoan my lot in life as a mother, but it is days like today that I can see how fortunate and blessed the Lord has made my life as a woman. So I take encouragement that I have had the chance to experience one of the most amazing events in life!

Dressing Up

Annie was our little lamb. She had a cute little black nose and some small whiskers but I was informed later that lambs don't have whiskers. But still she looked so cute. The other girls each had a chance to wear this costume when they were her age. It has become my favorite over the years.

Paige was a little waitress from Sonic. This costume I am proud to say that I made all by myself! We found the idea in a magazine and we improvised a bit. The tray she is carrying has an ice cream dish with white cotton balls, a red "cherry" ball on top. Behind the ice cream dish is a Coke cup with 2 brown socks and a straw inside. Next to that is a piece of bread, a napkin and a spoon. All were glued to the tray. She chose the fabric and I sewed a pocket and ribbon to tie the apron around her waist. Duane designed her name tag with the "Sonic" label and her name printed beneath. She got a lot of compliments on her outfit! Duane told me that some women even told him that we should make more of these trays and sell them!

"Chef Marshall" joined the festivities too. Jena chose her costume which included an apron, chef's hat, recipe cards, basting brush, whisk and even a french mustache. Duane also designed her name tag which he placed on her chef's hat. Jena had a parade and a party at her school earlier that afternoon. After parading around the playground the students went inside to enjoy snacks and goodie bags supplied by the parents. She had a long day and was very ready for bed at the end of the evening!