After a glorious Sunday service and after attending other group meetings, we were both visibly tired. Church service ended before 12 noon, but we got home around 2:30pm.
On getting home, both of us wanted to retire to the bedroom and get some rest.
It was then I remembered that I announced in church that NO MARRIED WOMAN MUST ENTER THE KITCHEN that afternoon. The first lady of every home, deserves to be pampered and shown tender loving care (TLC).
For a Brief moment , I thought within myself...."how on earth did I make that announcement in church today??" (As pastor, its easier to give commands)
But the die is already cast, I must fulfill my obligation. (we must obey instructions from the pulpit)
I watched my wife enter the bedroom, while I sluggishly made my way to the kitchen. It felt like a very long lonely road. While walking to the kitchen, I knew exactly how she felt every time she had to be in that kitchen alone by herself.
To cut the short story long (Don't mind me oo)
I got down to business.. I sweated it out alone in the kitchen. After about an hour and a half in the kitchen, I heard my wife calling out to me from the living room,
"Darling, is the food ready now?..I am so hungry"
I could not believe my ears, I thought to myself "Was she talking to her maid or a paid cook? How can somebody just get up from the bed and be asking for food?" (It didn't make sense to me at all)
Then I remembered how I have done the same thing to her countless number of times. Mine was even more like Yelling...just because food was not ready.
but wait... "how did she survive me on those tense days....especially when I was mad at her because food wasn't ready?"
Realising my own shortcomings, I quickly borrowed myself 'some sense'....I adjusted myself and decided to play along...
"Babe, the food is ready".
She rushed into the kitchen. On entering the kitchen, you can see the big disappointment in her eyes...
" Honey, where is the food?"
I responded giggling..."that is it on the fire"
"Just chicken?"
I defended myself.. "Is chicken not food?"
Can't you see that the burner is extremely slow, its not my fault" (I even blamed the oven)
Then she examined the burner, and burst into laughter. She laughed very hard.
"Why are you laughing?" I asked
"Oh honey, the heat regulator is set to the lowest level, you should have increased it"
Now, I didn't find that funny..."You mean I have been waiting patiently for nothing??"
Ignoring me, she adjusted the burner and the heat was at the maximum level in no time. (I guess the law of diminishing returns had set-in for me)
"Dear, I cannot wait for your food again, I'm famished"
I jerked, "so what do you want me to do?" (Sebi, its mothers day, We don enter am today)
"Can you quickly fry some eggs for me pls?"
"No problem. Anything for my sweetheart" (though I was weak and tired)
She left me in the kitchen and went back to the sitting room. She settled down with her phone while I settled down with the cooking. (Diaris God oo)
At first I wanted to protest...."What is all these...gan na?" But when I remembered how I usually cross my legs to watch live football matches on TV..while she sweats it out in the kitchen... I became very gentle!
I quickly took enough fresh eggs to fry...and also ordered for fresh bread.
In no time, food was ready. I set the table for my Queen.
Without wasting time, she descended on the meal like a hungry lion.
"Babe, won't you say anything to me about the meal" (I knew the meal was tasty, so I was DESPERATE to hear her compliment. That will make a good CONSOLATION)
But to my uttermost amazement, what she said next came as a rude shock to me.
"My dear husband, this is exactly how you usually eat my meals without passing any complement. You only say thank you after enjoying the meal and THAT IS ALL".
"What!!!...Seriously!!!....was I this callous to my Wife?...
I didn't realise that I wasn't very nice to her"...I felt very terrible.
Here I was, demanding Kindness, where I haven't sown enough kindness.
It felt like I have not been playing fair..... IT FELT LIKE I HAVE BEEN CHEATING MY WIFE
CHEATING is not limited to Adultery or sexual immorality.
CHEATING is when one partner is making MORE sacrifice than the other.
CHEATING is when one partner is MORE forbearing and showing MORE COMMITMENT than the other.
CHEATING is when your APPRECIATION is not commensurate withdrawals the EFFORTS of your partner.
CHEATING is always taking from your partner but not giving anything back.
Examine youself today. If you are guilty of this, pls repent and STOP CHEATING YOUR PARTNER.
I Welcome you to Marital Bliss.
GOD BLESS YOUR HOME.
I celebrate you!
I enjoyed this, especially the humour. But it brought to the fore the need to appreciate our spouses for the role they play in bringing balance and order to our lives. The husband, the wife, both have very significant roles that should never be taken for granted.