Carolynn was able to tell Amy about the inner pain her father felt when hearing hateful words. Carolynn had hurt him that way too.

Early on in their marriage, Carolynn used to assault Rick with demeaning comments. She didn't know they were hurtful; they just streamed out of her mouth in anger. Their relationship had been a power struggle and Carolynn resorted to using words as weapons.

Once, after Carolynn had apologized for a belittling remark made to Rick in public, he said "I'm tired of your apologies. They make you feel better, but they're like band-aids after you've sliced people up."

God began to show Carolynn how cutting her words were. Could she ever bind up the terrible wounds she had afflicted on Rick? In prayer, she saw Jesus as the good Samaritan pouring oil over a beaten man's open wounds. Jesus invited Carolynn to join Him in restoring her husband.

As Carolynn showed her esteem for Rick with soft, soothing words—telling him she loved him, appreciated him, needed him—it was like fresh oil poured over old wounds.

© Copyright 2006 Smalley Relationship Center

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