Double or Nothing Dr. Juan Harrison

Double or Nothing
I’ve been looking, but I ain’t found one yet. I’ve heard that a person shouldn’t look for a perfect church; we’d mess it up if we joined. Likewise, good luck on finding a perfect marriage. I’ve told you I’ve read where 45% of divorcees regret throwing in the towel. Some lucky or wise ones finally realized what they’ve done and been able to have a greater appreciation for a second chance, especially if they had grown older and recognized those qualities in a person that attracted them in the first place.
Like going down the buffet line at the Chinese restaurant or on a cruise ship, there’s a lot to pick from. Eat there often enough or take enough cruises and you can actually get a little bored with the hot and sour soup or the prime rib and lobster tail on your ocean voyage.
Us humans fight those same old irritating aggravations of lid up, lid down. Lid off the toothpaste or using up the last roll of TP in your little round holder or from under the sink. How many times have you reminded her to close the closet door before she leaves the room after dressing, leaving the closet light on. Maybe he leaves the shower dripping by not turning the handle far enough. Somebody left dishes in the sink overnight while the sticky residue glued itself to them overnight. Who forgot to lock the front door last night, left the refrigerator door open, drank the last of the milk, or ate the last of the bread without letting you know.
We create enough irritations toward each other that we could fight nonstop. I used to hear a lot about nagging, but maybe the word went out of style, and nobody has told me how to update my vocabulary. I’ve often wondered what a person does when the spouse passes on, and there is no one left to fuss at. Do they just wish they would come back for a short visit for a mini-fuss.
Wisdom tells me to ignore most of my instincts to wanna start a fuss over something silly or simple that could have easily been overlooked. Still, that little devil on my shoulder just couldn’t hardly resist taking a swipe at some petty mistake or act of neglect that would have been better to overlook.
The Bible and church give me good advice on how to forgive and demonstrate kindness. We all know we enjoy marriage a lot more when it’s mostly goodness and light. As a youth my mama used to tell me I was asking for a whupping. I knew better but I couldn’t help myself. My wife doesn’t have to say anything. She can hold up her thumb and forefinger close together, give that look of warning to say, “you’re that close. Wanna try for double or nothing.”
By Dr. Juan Harrison