Flawed But Perfect

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay      

Life got a little more complicated this week. When I first started my diet, my husband was fine with my cooking low sodium meals and then added his own seasoning, but after the first week came the hints.

“This would be better if it was cooked with salt.”

He came home from the market with salted butter, salted popcorn, and salted ingredients for every meal on our menu.

At first, I was angry. I didn’t yell or say much, but again my body language said enough. After anger came the tears. It’s hard enough to adjust to this new lifestyle and without my husband’s support, it will be even harder.

To comply with his request for salted foods, I’d have to fix two meals every night and wash double the dishes. (I’m the chief cook and dishwasher.)

Well, God let me know what He thought about my attitude.

I opened Our Daily Bread the next morning and found this: Love That Forgives.

Uh oh.

“Bear with each other and forgive each other.” Colossians 3:13.

If I had any doubt he meant my marriage, the next paragraph settled that. The author told the story of a couple who have been married for eighty years. When asked what the most important aspect was for staying together that long, they replied, “Choosing forgiveness.”

The reading listed the different ways we hurt each other through unkind words, a broken promise or forgotten task. 

St. Paul urges us to choose compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience when dealing with each other. I had failed every one. He pounded it into my stubborn brain again with the words, “But above all, these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.” This is especially important for a healthy relationship.  

My husband is addicted to both salt and sugar. Is it fair of me to expect him to restrict his diet the same as mine? He’s not demanding I eat the same things, only cook two different meals. While I want to huff and sputter, God told me his opinion on the matter. So, with prayer, I’ll forgive what I perceive as a disregard for my health issue, and focus instead on all the things that are right with my relationship.

My husband is kind, affectionate, responsible, romantic, fun to be with, and supportive in many ways. He’s my best friend. Flawed, yes. But so am I. And yet, we are also perfect for one another.

After further reflection, my husband offered a compromise. Instead of cooking two different meals, he’d mix salt into his portion of the low sodium dish rather than sprinkling it on top. He believes this will give him the flavor he’s used to without compromising my diet.

Dear Lord, thank you, again, for showing me the errors of my thoughts and actions, giving me the chance to rectify them before they do more damage. Amen.