Can You Manage the Tightrope???

I have someone who is very near and dear to me that I will only refer to as "The Wife Whisperer". I call her that because she is perhaps the best wife that I have ever met in my life. She mentors women, not just wives, to improve their joy in life and help them become the best women that they can be.
Don't be jealous.
Anyway, I was listening to her vent once when she seemed to be going through a phase of not understanding her husband. Everything that she did seemed to frustrate and annoy him. In return, every word that he spoke to her hurt her feelings terribly. She went on to say that He was telling her about a letter he needed to write for his business, but he didn't know how to word it. She took it upon herself to type up the letter and present it to him, thinking that she was being the helpmeet that he needed.
Seems like a good and thoughtful thing for a wife to do, no?
No.
He read the letter and dismissed it at once, saying that he wasn't going to use it, which hurt her feelings. I felt bad for her, because she was only trying to help. But then I thought, maybe she did overstep a bit.
Her husband was just having a conversation with his wife about an issue. He didn't ask for assistance, even though she felt like he needed it. To a man, this may be a form of emasculation. Guys are the kind of creatures that want to solve problems, not have their problems solved for them. I can only assume that it's part of their natural survival instinct or hunting skills... Whatever.
It can seem like walking a tightrope. Lean too far to the left or the right and you may just fall off. But if you stand up right, taking careful steps, one foot in front of the other, everything will stay safe.
So, what is a good wife to do when she wants to help her husband but he has yet to ask?
Be prepared.

Genesis 6:21

"And be sure to take on board enough food

For your family and for all the animals."

 

 

Now, I realize that your husband is not Noah and, no matter how many things you may have on your plate, you are not storing food and animals for forty days and forty nights. However, preparation is the key to staying ahead of the game. Let's say that your husband does have an issue that you have a fabulous solution for, but he has yet to ask your assistance. Do you just go on with life, not giving his need another thought? I would say no. The best thing to do is to get your solution ready, just in case he does ask. Not to say "I told you so", because that would just add fuel to a fire you are trying to keep at bay. But because you are his help and support, you are able to give him the help that he needs, but only when he is ready to ask for it.

 

Genesis 41:14-15

"Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once,

And he was quickly brought from the prison.

After he shaved and changed his clothes,

He went in and stood before Pharaoh.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph,

'I had a dream last night,

And no one here can tell me what it means.

But I have heard that when you hear about a dream

You can interpret. '"

 

It doesn't say, but Joseph may have heard about the Pharaoh and his issue, but he didn't go waltzing up in the Pharaoh's face, telling him he had a solution to his insomnia issues. He waited until he was called upon, and he made himself available.

Sometimes as wives we want to help sooo bad, but have to fall back and wait to be asked. We may want to jump right in and help, but it's best for us to wait until our husbands make their requests known. It may seem to you like foolish pride, but I guarantee you, you won't fall off the tightrope by waiting your turn to walk it...