Jorge was a typical soft middle-aged man when he got a taste for endurance sports. Within a year, he was absorbed in it. His body became chiseled, his weekends and evenings consumed with various competitions. His topic of conversation centered around training and times. Even his circle of friends gravitated toward those sharing the same interest.
His wife Camilla (these are not their real names, of course) responded as I’ve seen many spouses respond: slightly disgusted at her husband’s sudden change of priorities, radical change of schedule, and regular neglect of family time. She either consciously or unconsciously said to herself, “For every pound Jorge loses, I’m going to gain one.” She became more sedentary, rolled her eyes if she heard him talking about races or his times, complained about how bad his laundry smelled, and nagged him about neglecting their children.
I’ve run 12 marathons, so it might seem like I’d be somewhat sympathetic with Jorge, but in fact I believe Camilla had a point: Jorge was neglecting his family to pursue a new passion.
Camilla’s response of rebounding in the opposite direction, though, ended in disaster: divorce, with the children divided up and eventually even living in different states.
I don’t blame Camilla for the disaster, but I do think her response wasn’t helpful.
If your spouse goes off on a tangent, it’s healthy to directly talk to them. If they don’t repent, however, and you know they know what you think about what they’re doing, repeatedly telling them your opinion won’t change their minds at all. At that point, you have a choice to make: you can do what Camilla did—rebound in the opposite direction—or find a way to grow closer to a spouse even as they are pulling away.
No, you shouldn’t have to pursue someone who is focusing elsewhere, but I prefer to live in Realville where a spouse is often forced to do what must be done rather than sacrifice his or her family on the altar of the ideal. Paul says several times that the “stronger” (mature) must make way for the “weaker” (immature). If you’re the “stronger” spouse, Paul would tell you it’s time for you to step up. Trying to fight selfishness with selfishness increases distance, it never erases it. If your spouse misplaces his or her priorities and won’t repent or even listen to you, you have to deal with what is.
In Sacred Influence, I tell the story of one woman’s husband who started leaving her and the kids alone on weekends and then on vacations to go fishing. When she felt God encouraging her to join him, she said it felt like God was asking her to “hold the hand of my husband’s mistress.” That’s honestly what it felt like to her, but in moving toward him and occasionally joining him she kept her marriage alive and even learned to enjoy fishing.
This is what love does: it moves toward the one you love. When my youngest daughter was still in college, I got the Amazon invoices for the books she was ordering for her classes. I’d order some copies for myself so that we’d have something to talk about. When my other daughter was at home and watching The Bachelorette, I’d occasionally, every few weeks, join her for an episode, though there is much I loathe about that show. My daughter has a very high EQ and is relationally aware, and talking about some of the situations and characters that came up was interesting and insightful for me and helped me to spend meaningful time with her.
If you love someone, you find a way to move toward them, to share their interests, even if it doesn’t naturally interest you.
So what could Camilla have done differently? She could have brought the children to the club when Jorge finished his Saturday morning exercise routine so they could have breakfast together. They could go as a family to as many races as possible. She could organize cookouts with his exercise buddies so that she knew who he was spending time with. The goal is this: “He’s not willing to move toward us, so we have to find ways to move toward him.”
It might not have worked—but rebounding didn’t work, either. Going the opposite direction never does—it just increases the speed of the rift. If you want to keep your family together, you may need to get creative and ask yourself, “How do we enjoy family times of togetherness, even in the face of my spouse’s selfishness and poor priorities?”
If you do this in an attitude of snarkiness, you’re wasting your time. Love is gracious, love is kind, love is long-suffering. It’s not snarky. It’s not negative. It’s not critical. Bitterness hasn’t ever won a spouse back. Never.
I’m not suggesting you let your spouse go off on a tangent without speaking up. If they won’t respond, however, that’s when you have to launch plan B, figuring out how, in the face of your spouse’s poor or selfish priorities, you can keep the family as close as possible.
Sadly, that goal may mean, at times, moving toward someone even as they are moving away.
If you need to read more about this, I go into much more detail in my book for wives entitled Sacred Influence: http://www.garythomas.com/books/sacred-influence/
Johny says
Hi Bill, Thanks for participating. You had it half right, Florida was cercort at 5 times, but Ohio only once. The state you were missing was Texas which also played host 5 times. . Try again next week!
Mylene says
I totally agree with the do’s and dont’s and the blog is inspiring.But my question is,what about the wives who have their interests and their husbands doesn’t show interest? Isn’t it a bit unfair for the wives to give in all the time? I am just newly married and I have been following your blogs.I also got a copy of the Sacred Search and Sacred Marriage book.
Greta Meece says
Encouraging words. Your first approach is wise but we humans tend to start thinking other things instead of sitting down and talking things over. I know love is gracious, love is kind, love is long-suffering. One should always be very careful to not speak to soon or often because much is read into our actions.
Let some times we assume wives can do this or that but some of those answers require resources that wive often don’t have because the husband is spending on his hobbies,etc.
I have seen in expended family and other families in our earlier ministries.
Kristen says
I really appreciate that your first approach is to talk directly with your spouse. This happened recently with my husband; he had been putting on long hours at work, to the point where it felt as though he was avoiding the family. I stewed about it for a bit until I realized it wasn’t accomplishing anything except making me bitter. I finally talked with him about it, and it turned out that there was a rather intensive project he was working on (so a temporary issue), and he hadn’t realized that it was happening; so we sat down and talked about what needed to happen. I think oftentimes we expect our spouse to magically understand what we’re thinking (and unfortunately, this notion is enforced by various media today), but it’s not realistic and definitely not helpful to expect this.
gary thomas says
Wise words of wisdom, Kristen. When you have a generally caring spouse who legitimately gets busy, empathy goes a long ways in addressing the issue
Jeanne says
This is so very true! I’ve done both – the wrong thing and the right thing – and the right thing makes a world of difference! Thanks, Gary, for an arrow to point us in the right direction!
Angela Gifford says
Such a great article. Hard truth, but truth. Sacred Influence is one of my absolutely favorite books. In fact, I have to keep re-buying it because I loan it out and don’t get it back.
gary thomas says
Well, thanks Angela! It’s people like you that help make it possible for me to keep writing books and blog posts. Very, very grateful.
Skye says
It is the same heart we have when we’re dating. We get strangely interested in whatever interests the person we want to get close to. I remember when my husband and I began dating, he fished nearly every weekend. I went out on the boat with him occasionally, bringing snacks, sandwiches, and drinks. I listened to him talk about his fishing techniques, like which lures to use for different waters, yada, yada, yada. I researched the web and found a “How to” video on making homemade lures. So I set out to make him one. He was pretty impressed with my attempt…after all, I had my own hook to set. HA!
I am still very much like this even now after a few years of marriage. My husband is always finding new adventures to get himself into and I go along with it as much as I can. We have fun together. Someone once told me that “boring people get bored” and I’ve also heard, “variety is the spice of life”… I suppose there is something to be said for having a balance of consistency and change. If I were not married to my husband, I would have dug a rut in life by now..God knew what He was doing putting the two of us together, I believe we are more useful to Him together than we ever would have been apart.
Gary, thank you for your insightful and hope-filled posts, always reminding us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus…He is the way, the truth, and the life!
gary thomas says
I love hearing how these truths have been worked out already. Affirming, encouraging and heart-lifting. I get so many sad stories sent my way, that it’s a true blessing to hear such positive accounts like this
Ann says
Gary–what if it’s work–my spouse has become a workaholic. I’ve tried taking dinner with our 5 yo to my husband. Do you have any other ideas for appropriate ways to join him at the office? Thank you
gary thomas says
Ann, there are a couple chapters on this in Sacred Influence (chapters 12 and 13). If money is an issue (and you live in the US), you can email my wife and we’ll send you a complimentary copy: lisa@garythomas.com
Angela clifford says
Hi Gary a lovely post wise words what more is there to add
gary thomas says
Thanks Angela!