Given the fact that tomorrow is celebrated as Easter by many non-eastern Christians, it seems like a good opportunity to bring up a reality for many of us. How do we navigate the pitfalls of a husband and wife not being like-minded on religious holidays? I did not embrace Calvinism until the late 1990s and I did not come to a full conviction on my current position on religious holidays until several years ago. However, my dear bride and I are not like-minded on the issue. As should be expected, we are not like-minded on Calvinism either, although she extends charity to me in that area.
I take the opportunity at Easter and Christmas time to (delicately) share my reasons for changing my view. BTW, I use the terms "Easter" and "Christmas" for references purposes only. While our conversations are less contentious than they used to be, she has not changed her mind. I have decided not to take an authoritarian position. Ordering her not to do something will have a negative impact well beyond the issue of religious holiday observance. I am praying that a kind and compassionate spirit (on my part) will lead to more fruitful conversations and (hopefully) a change of position on her part.
How do some of you who are in a similar situation deal with it?
I take the opportunity at Easter and Christmas time to (delicately) share my reasons for changing my view. BTW, I use the terms "Easter" and "Christmas" for references purposes only. While our conversations are less contentious than they used to be, she has not changed her mind. I have decided not to take an authoritarian position. Ordering her not to do something will have a negative impact well beyond the issue of religious holiday observance. I am praying that a kind and compassionate spirit (on my part) will lead to more fruitful conversations and (hopefully) a change of position on her part.
How do some of you who are in a similar situation deal with it?