My wife will pick out certain traits in other husbands and say, “Why can’t you be like Saint Hubby?” My usual response is to pick out some unmentioned habit of Hubby and ask if she wants me to be that way too. Actually, I am smart enough not to ask that.
With people, like so much of life, you have to take the whole package. I came to this while thinking about how abrasive my wife can be. Yet she also is really good at getting close to people. Go figure. Everyone has good and bad traits. Your only good one may be that you are kind to puppies, but it is still there. For Christians we need to think in terms of the gifts of the Spirit. I believe the Bible teaches that each person has at least one gift.
(1Co 12:7 KJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.That package deal is a twofer. It works both ways. We need to keep in mind that we have both sides of the coin just like the other person. I have observed that many people criticize others for the shortcomings they have themselves. And, if it helps you, keep in mind that somewhere there is probably a spouse who is telling their significant other that they wish they were like you.
And maybe not.
homo unius libri
Great perspective! Thank you!
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