A reflection on patience, pride, and God’s peace

Morning Misfires

It started out as one of those mornings when nothing seems to go right.
I woke around 7 AM, used the bathroom, then decided to catch a little more rest on the couch before my service call in Baldwin Park. Just as I was getting cozy, my wife came and turned on the TV.

At first, I tried to shrug it off. I’ve slept through TV noise before, but somehow the chatter today pierced through my peace. When I reached for the remote to lower the volume, she disagreed — and suddenly, common sense became a mystery.

---

When Courtesy Takes a Day Off

Common sense tells us that if someone’s trying to sleep, especially a spouse, we’d show a bit of courtesy. But this morning, courtesy was missing. I felt disregarded — a small thing, yes, but many small things, repeated often, can pile up into something bigger than either of us intend.

Frustrated, I tossed the blanket her way and went upstairs with my little puppy.
Not my finest moment, but I told myself: “At least I left before saying something worse.”

Yet in truth, I know that the absence of peace in a marriage — even over something small — means the absence of God’s compassion in that moment.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
— Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

---

The Dog Drama

Later, as I was getting ready for work, another storm brewed.
I had placed our dogs, Mooch and Pooch, in the garage. But when the neighbor’s dog walked by, they jumped the barricade and ran off. I managed to grab Mooch, but Pooch took off down the street.

Instead of joining the search, my wife’s first response was:
“How did they get out? If something happens to that dog…blah blah blah…..
It wasn’t a concern — it was blame.

At that moment, I realized how easily our human focus shifts from helping to accusing. Instead of solving the problem, we want to find fault. That’s when the devil wins — when pride and self-righteousness replace compassion and teamwork.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
— Matthew 7:3 (NIV)

---

Misunderstood and Misjudged

When I finally found my wife again, our talk spiraled into misunderstanding.
No matter how I tried to explain, words got twisted, anger rose, and distance grew. I saw that look — the one that says, “I’ve stopped listening.”

And that hurt deeper than the argument itself.

Sometimes it’s not about who’s right or wrong, but about how quickly we lose sight of grace. Pride blinds us. And pride, as the Bible says, leads to a fall.

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
— Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)

---

A Prayer for Clarity and Compassion

Lord, You saw what happened this morning.
If I was wrong, humble me. If I was right, soften her heart.
Remove whatever spirit of blame or pride clouds our minds, and restore the love that once came easily.

Teach us, Lord, that small things matter — but only if they are planted in love, not resentment.
Help us to focus not on who caused the problem, but on how we can reflect Your peace in solving it.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

---

Final Reflection

Marriage isn’t easy — but neither is heaven cheap.
If we want to walk through those gates someday, we must practice being heaven-bound right now. Pride, stubbornness, and finger-pointing don’t belong in God’s kingdom.

Let’s choose humility instead of hostility. Let’s turn small “gripes” into moments of grace.

Because the truth is, common sense may fail us — but God’s sense never will.on on patience, pride, and God’s peace