Home Wrecker

You can’t do this.

You’re worthless.

Your job is pathetic.

Look around. This place is a dump.

Your kids don’t listen to you; they’re out of control.

You’re incompetent.

The sink’s full again, or haven’t you noticed?  And the little brats just dumped the clothes out of their drawers. On purpose. Yeah, that’s right. You’re really mad right now.  Those little jerks. Go yell at them. Let them know how annoying they are. Go ahead—tell them.

Good. Slam the door, too, just for effect.

Nice.

Where’s your husband? Oh, he’s working late again. Right. And here you are, doing all the work around here. Do you know what he’s working on? Oh, I see. Have you seen the new woman at the office? You haven’t? Wow. Size 2. No, she’s not married. She works out a lot.  And she is so smart. It’s unbelievable. Witty. Funny. She’s a riot.

He doesn’t give her a second glance, I’m sure. Why would he?

Oh, don’t worry about that. He respects you for bearing his children. He loves you for who you are.  And he knows you’re tired. Exhausted.

It’s fine, I’m sure.

He didn’t text you back? Well, he’s busy.

It would be nice if he helped a little more around here, though, wouldn’t it? I mean, it actually smells in here. Disgusting. You can’t invite anyone over. They’d be grossed out. No, I definitely wouldn’t call her. It’s best to keep these things to yourself. She’ll think you can’t handle it, and that would be embarrassing. Most women find tremendous fulfillment in mothering. They love to decorate, too, but you don’t really have a knack for it. Plus, you don’t have extra money to waste on stuff like that.

If he had a better job, you could at least go shopping. He’s kind of a loser, isn’t he?  Yeah, he is. And, he’s kind of fat, too. Don’t you hate it when he throws his T-shirts on the floor? So stupid. Good grief, the basket’s right there. You’d think he could respect you enough, but I guess he just doesn’t get it.

And your kids are so annoying. You’re responsible for them, right?

Wow.

You’re a terrible mother. A terrible homemaker. A terrible wife.

Why do you even try?


Oh, the lies he feeds us. He’s a sneaky one, that devil. A sneak and a liar. He comes in and sows seed of anger, rebellion, discontent, insecurity. And he comes at just the right time–when we’re beat down enough to believe him. When we’re tired and stretched too thin.

What a jerk.

You know why he does this, right? Because he knows how important our work is. He knows if he can take us down, he takes our family down, too.

I’ve fallen for his lies so many times. And it always happens the same way: Something sets me off, and all of a sudden, I’m yelling at the children, snapping at my husband, and wishing I was anyone else but me and anywhere else but here.

But, grace and mercy and hope and Holy Spirit come and flood my heart and home.  And yours, too. Our fulfillment comes from the cross. Our contentment is rooted in Christ Jesus. Our value in Father Whose daughters we are and Whose work we’re doing.  Our peace found and filled in knowing He has placed us intentionally in our homes with children and husbands to love and nurture.

Nothing, sisters, is more important. We are doing holy work for the Kingdom. Let’s claim this God-given territory as His and—every day—pray for His protection that we might resist the devil’s wily attacks and command that he flee at once.
This and these are Christ’s. Satan has no business here.
​
Amen.

​Author:  Melissa Bronson

---