Make Sure You Take Your Phone

"Well, make sure you have your phone with you."

Pretty harmless words on the surface, but when put into context, not so much. Here's when I said them. Next week, my wife and I need to swap cars. Because of some strange circumstances, we currently have three. The newest car is 10 years old. The other two are on their last leg. I mostly drive a 14 year old explorer.

Last night, my wife told me that if I leave the Explorer home, she would move everything around, and get everything she needs into the Explorer and everything I need into her car. I must have looked at her funny because she said “I will drive the explorer while you are gone" That is when I said, "Well, make sure you have your phone with you," and then I just walked away. No explanation, and no further comment.

This morning she helped me consider my words from her perspective. “What did it mean?” “Am I going to be stranded somewhere?” “Is the car unreliable?” and most of all - “Does Scott even care?”

My words demonstrated that I didn’t care. I failed to demonstrate love. I left her feeling vulnerable and uncertain. And I am grateful that she helped me see that. It’s like Dave Harvy says - “If I love my wife, why do I find it so easy to treat her like I don’t?”

Guys - watch your words!