The Slop Bucket

Many spouses carry a mental record of broken promises and misdeeds by their spouses. Paul Faulkner, a teacher of mine, called this the “slop bucket.”

Picture an open pail of slimy ooze strapped to your back. It comes with a handy long-handled ladle. This is the slop bucket: your most destructive weapon in matrimonial warfare.

When your spouse criticizes you, just reach behind your head for the handle of the ladle, scoop up some “slop” of your own, and sling it!

Slop can give you the upper hand. It puts your spouse on the defensive, and changes the subject. However, there is one huge disadvantage to slinging slop: Both of you will live your lives covered in it. Your kids will have it all over them. Bitterness will crowd out peace, and you will come to forget what happiness was like. Resentment and regret will drive it away.

If you want to grow trust and deepen love, then the garbage of the past must be poured out and forgotten.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, longsuffering, bearing with each other and forgiving each other.
— Colossians 3:12-14

Satan loves “slop.” He feeds on it, and lives in it. Starve him. Throw him out; leave him homeless. Clean your home, and hearts, to receive the Lord’s peace again.