The Nag

I’m a bath-taker.

I find it completely relaxing and therapeutic after a long day of being THAT mom to soak in my tub. I have a little ritual. I fill the tub completely full of hot water. I microwave-pop my low fat unbuttered popcorn and add a hint of garlic pepper powder to it and put it in my floating bowl. I usually grab something I’m reading and sit there until I’m wrinkly or the water is tepid. Then I reheat. I do this every night.

I don’t actually own a bowl marketed as a ‘floating bowl,’ I discovered this by default. But it really comes in handy.The other night as I relaxed, I had a thought.

“Honey?,” I called.

“Did you remember to call that man about that thing?” I yelled into the next room.

He appeared at the door. “No. I forgot.”

“What???? You said you would-- . . .”

I will spare you the intricate details of how I LAMBLASTED my husband, while in the tub,He walked away irritated. And I was mad. I couldn’t believe he forgot and then I went thru the ‘nevers’ (he never remembers) and then I made it to the ‘always’ (I always remember). I have a gift for remembering. I like to share the gift and teach others.

I’m really generous that way.

And that’s when I felt it.

Conviction.

I hate that feeling.Catching a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror, one word popped into my mind.

“Nag.”

I dismissed it immediately. I mean, how rude . . . of me. I reheated my water and flipped thru my magazine and tried to get back in the I-LOVE-TO-TAKE-A-BATH-ZONE.

I’m not that bad, I told myself. He just needs my help remembering and following through. I’m his helper. It’s my job.But there it was again. “Nag.”That is an ugly word. I closed my eyes and pictured an old horse.

Sway back.

Ugly.

Old.

A nag.

Maybe God wanted me to intercede for all the nags in the world. I know plenty. You probably do too. You know those women who do---what I just did. And then I sat there for a long time. You know what I heard?

Drip.


Drip.


Drip.


Drip.


Drip.






It reminded me of this:

“A nagging wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day,” (Prov. 27:15)

Funny I should remember it . And yet there it was, pointing it’s dripping wet finger right at me. I dried off and crawled into my pajamas. I looked up nagging in my Bible and ran across this lovely thought,

“with such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death,” Judges 16:16

Okay. I get it. I hear You, okay? I found my hubby and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Call him whenever you’re ready. I won’t say anything else.” I could feel the tension melt away.

Know what I did next? I ran some more bath water and this time, I tackled it right. I’m very thankful God showed me the nag, living within. Do you fall into this ugly habit too with your husband or children?

Pray this with me:

"Father, thank you for my spouse. Thank you for my children. They are a gift in my life. Please help me not to nag and berate them with my words. Help me to use my words as an encouragement, rather than a weapon. Quicken my spirit when I cast words that are displeasing to you. Amen."

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