Sorely losing

Monopoly Deal has been the starring pastime around here. The Mister will cajole anyone who is over, or everyone at a group gathering, to play. I must say I like it better than the original Monopoly - it's faster and more strategic. What I don't like is that when it's just me and the husband playing, I lose more than I win. I've only beat him once, and I hate it. I pretty much detest him immediately afterward because my innumerable losses puncture my doggone pride. I'm rude, cold, and I refuse to play again, except I always end up playing again in hopes of vindication. Funny how this pattern of bitterness, defensiveness, and retaliation is the exact pattern that replays in a larger scale in the midst of our conflicts, which reminded me of this encouraging article. The truth proclaimed in it resonated with me because though my (and his) sin is always the fundamental problem, humble repentance is always the fundamental solution. I am thankful for God's grace through the gospel that teaches me what humble repentance looks like, and for the husband who always models it first in our conflicts. Therefore, losses in Monopoly Deal are just little instruments in my training in humble repentance. So, really, these losses are for my good (though I really want to win!).