First, a story; then, a confession.
When we first moved into our house, I decided that our third bathroom should be used only when company came. That way, I reasoned, I’d merely dust that room when company came. Our potty trained child for some reason developed a fascination for that bathroom, and regularly at dinner would ask to use it. Lee and I both would indicate that he was not to use that bathroom, but his own. Life went on. After awhile, I realized that without use, the gypsum and other mineral-rich water in the toilet evaporated, leaving rings of mineral deposits that were nearly impossible to get off. Moreover, the blue stuff I put in the toilet concentrated without regular use, and was absorbed into the mineral ring, looking quite unsightly. Hardly the sparkling clean bathroom ready for company that I had envisioned. So, I started allowing David to use the bathroom in the day, sometimes. I figure it really doesn’t matter, and it doesn’t take that long to clean regularly, anyway.
Now the confession. Last week, I realized that Lee and I have not discussed this topic recently, and we are currently giving opposing instruction. I know it’s a small issue, and I’ve seen parents divided on much more significant topics. Still, children are smart. They discern the inconsistencies of their parents and use them to their advantage. I wonder if I’m overanalyzing (it wouldn’t be the first time). I don’t know that it’s a destructive thing; parents differ all the time on day-to-day circumstances that arise. The deployment of a spouse can naturally expose differences in how the household is run. And I know that godly parents must make choices sometimes that an ungodly parent might disagree with. But, it still makes me uncomfortable to feel needlessly divided. I guess I should talk with Lee and come to a decision.
Shelley Gallamore says
Michelle,
This story has such great spiritual implications – how you thought you would be hospitable by not using the bathroom, but how that actually caused it to be less ready than when it was being used. How often we think that if we protect ourselves and “guard” our time and energy we will be ready when a hospitable moment arrives…
I have found that as the kids have gotten older it is easy to have areas that my husband and I forget to check with each other…very common and easily fixed usually.
Michelle says
You’re right. I hadn’t thought of this situation in that light. When Lee read my post last night, he said, “It doesn’t matter to me.” I knew that, but I’m glad to be on the same page. Just goes to show how important it is to have regular date nights… 😀 I NEED ONE OF THOSE!!!