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Kelly R Baker

Live Yielded, Thrive in Christ

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5 Little Foxes that Damage a Marriage

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The allegorical little foxes that spoil the vine can create extensive damage in the marriage relationship. Here are 5 ways to eliminate them.


When I was fourteen, I opened the door one day to a slightly older teen guy asking to see my brother. It was the first time I ever laid eyes on my husband Justin—enamored, proving the love-at-first-sight cliche.

At least it was that way for me; he thought I was a dorky little girl. Ha! But it wasn’t long before I won him over!

Thus began our ten-year history before our engagement. What took him so long to pop the question? Arguments. I always wanted to be right. We landed on-the-spot counseling sessions with my mom (and sometimes dad) many, many times.

Have you heard of the allegorical foxes that spoil the vine?

My mother used to quote Song 2:15 to my brother and me growing up, as part of teaching us how to treat people. She continued to remind me of this verse when my husband Justin and I started butting heads early on in our relationship.

Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom. Song of Songs 2:15 ESV

I got to the point where I hated hearing again about the [insert mocking voice] “little foxes that spoil the vine.”

But as I grew to love the life-changing truths of the Word, I increasingly appreciated the wisdom of this verse.

The Fable of the Foxes

Let’s suppose for a moment that the vineyard is your marriage relationship. A vineyard bears fruit, so let’s say the fruit on the vine is the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control between you and your spouse. Finally, let’s call the foxes the obvious division-makers, such as adultery or physical abuse.

But what about the little foxes? They are the ones we barely tend to pay any attention. Those hurt the marriage, too. Here are five small foxes that can create extensive damage:

The nitpicking fox.

Arguments happen. I get that. However, allow me to give you some advice that someone gave me lots of times, but maybe you’ll catch on sooner: pick your battles. This means you don’t need to start an argument over the little nitpicky issues of life. When your spouse leaves his plate sitting on the table after eating, and it irks you, choose to let it go. However, if your love maxed out the credit card on a whim, then a discussion is probably in order.

The unappreciated fox.

Mundane tasks fall to your lot week-in and week-out. It goes a long way to thank the other person. For Christmas this past year, I tucked a thank you card into my husband’s stocking. In it, I listed every tiny task I could think of that he does for our family down to replacing batteries. I even noted solitary occasions such as going to the store late at night for medicine when someone in the family was sick. By the time he finished reading the card, we were both blinking back tears.

To find out what the other three small foxes are, join me at Messy Marriage. See you there!


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10 Comments Thriving in Christ

Comments

  1. messymarriage says

    November 15, 2017 at 10:53 am

    Thanks so much for sharing your story and important principles with us at Messy Marriage, Kelly! They are so true and have already touched a personal friend of mine. I appreciate you and your heart, my friend!

    Reply
    • kellyrbaker says

      November 15, 2017 at 11:57 am

      Oh, the pleasure is mine! And I’m so happy to hear that it touched your friend. I’m thankful for you and your ministry, friend! Keep up the good work! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Michele Morin says

    November 16, 2017 at 8:32 am

    Kelly, heading over to read the rest, but wanted to thank you for these cautionary words as I approach the thirty year mark soon. I don’t want to let down my guard.

    Reply
    • kellyrbaker says

      November 16, 2017 at 8:08 pm

      That’s an inspiring example, Michele!

      Reply
  3. Julie says

    November 16, 2017 at 9:13 am

    Heading over to read more about these little foxes!

    Reply
    • kellyrbaker says

      November 16, 2017 at 8:08 pm

      Thanks for joining us, Julie!

      Reply
  4. Elisha D. Pam. says

    August 31, 2019 at 9:07 pm

    Kellyrbaker thank for the two foxes. I am blessed. Give the remaining three.

    Reply
    • kellyrbaker says

      September 20, 2019 at 2:55 pm

      The link to the rest is below the first two. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. Diana Fischer says

    October 6, 2020 at 9:34 pm

    Thanks much for your insight on the little foxes. I tried to click on the link below the first two little foxes but I was only able to get to your website and wasn’t able to locate the rest of the little foxes article. Would you be able to somehow direct me to the conclusion of that article please?

    Reply
    • kellyrbaker says

      October 11, 2020 at 5:43 pm

      It’s fixed now, Diana! Thanks for the head’s up!

      Reply

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Kelly R. Baker

Welcome! I help Believers go from stagnant in their walk with God to choosing to Live Yielded. The result is Thriving in Christ. Feel free to dive into the resources here to help you go deeper in your walk with God. Meet Kelly…

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