The man in my life...
When he is near, our children fear nothing. He is, to them, invincible. He cannot be physically wounded, and there is no man stronger (They may have a point, there.). We are fully confident that he will defend and protect us. HE stands in harm's way. While waiting in a subway station in Rome, Rory asked, "What would happen if I fell on the tracks?" After a joke, he put his hand on her shoulder, and said, "I would jump in and throw you out of the way, I would do whatever it took to save you." And, he would. Whatever the cost. In a moment, without hesitation or regret.
He is affectionate: holding, hugging and cuddling our children. His love is real and clear.
He tells us.
He shows us.
I know it.
So do they.
As soon as he arrives home from work, the girls drop whatever was before them, race to the door and gleefully squeal, "Daddy!" Each one, in turn, runs into his arms as he lifts them to the sky.
On the weekends, he usually lets me sleep in. He will tend to our girlies, rousing with them to get breakfast. Along with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, bits and pieces of conversation float to my bedroom...Ahhhh...
When I lose over $400 effortlessly during an already financially inflated trip, he comes alongside me with stories of his own -- recalling how the same thing happened to him. He reminds me that money is simply that, money - a means. Not an end. Not our end. He helps me breathe out the worry and guilt. I breathe in perspective and encouragement.
When things go terrifically wrong, he chuckles.
He works out what he can.
He stays up all night on the phone.
He runs a marathon inside the airport.
And, he holds my hand. A lot.
He tries a new hairstyle because the ladies in his life suggest it (a short-lived Mohawk, by the way).
He thinks about things - big picture and long term, surprising me with wisdom and foresight I don't possess (but, desperately need).
When someone has woken in the middle of the night with a bad dream or an upset tummy, they walk to his side of our bed. He rises to comfort and rock. Wisps of hair slip out of his firm grasp as a girl leans over - sick again. And, when one doesn't quite make it to the bathroom, he gently wipes her clean. Afterwards, the mop and towels are retrieved to tackle the rest of the mess.
He has handpicked all of our favorite pieces of furniture.
He takes our munchkins to the largest outdoor ice skating rink in Europe in the middle of winter and during the height of ice skating season. I mean, can you picture this? One robust man on white ice skates surrounded by little girls on what looks like shiny, wet glass?! It. Is. Fantastic.
He takes us ALL out on dates - alone. : )
He talks to me.
He shares himself with me.
I feel safe to do the same.
He listens to me. A lot.
As I set the table so the girls may paint, he walks in. "Can I paint, too? But, I don't know what to paint..." Female voices pipe in. "What about a sun?" "A flower?" "A balloon?" "An ogre?" You can guess his choice. Big blue eyes watch his every move. Suddenly, something strange occurs...ogres begin to pop up all across the table. They follow after him...
He is forbearing.
He is creative.
He is patient.
He is funny.
He takes responsibility.
He tells the truth -- even when Claire asks about his other girlfriends...and, if he kissed them. I know, awwwwkward.
He teaches us.
He leads us.
And, yet, we are a team.
While I handle the daily grind - checking math homework, signing reading logs and packing snacks, he's our 'Special Events' guy. He's the guy on the floor with our six year old and glitter glue -- forming a spiral galaxy from white space for the upcoming science fair. And, if you want to know why stars twinkle, ask him and the eight year old. Together, they spent hours brainstorming, planning, shopping and preparing a really cool explanation. I just threw in my two cents about where to put the fairy in outer space.
He is FUN!!!
I have seen him hurt by those close to him, fighting off frustration, yet not fighting back. Choosing peace. Choosing the truth. Choosing GRACE.
I have watched him relinquish and release worldly aspirations and dreams long hoped for -- without bitterness.
I have witnessed selfishness subside: anger fade: compassion and humility grow.
However, I am not married to a perfect person. As we know, no such thing exists (apart from Christ). Tragic decisions have been made. Weaknesses have been exposed. And, failure is a close friend -- to each of us.
I have married a man.
But, not simply any man...
A man of God.
A man who loves Jesus and me - the good, the bad and even the very ugly... Not because he considers my 'bad' not so bad or my 'ugly' - pretty, but because my groom's love is completely entangled with grace and forgiveness.
A man who parents so that I see glimpses of what my Heavenly Father must be like.
A man who cares for and watches over his family as a good shepherd would.
A man who lives before the face of God - wherever he is - and ushers his family to do the same.
A man who is my best friend and the most beloved person in my world.
My husband.
I love you, and I thank God for you.
Your Wife
"Be on alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." - 1 Corinthians 16:13, and a fitting description of my husband.
When he is near, our children fear nothing. He is, to them, invincible. He cannot be physically wounded, and there is no man stronger (They may have a point, there.). We are fully confident that he will defend and protect us. HE stands in harm's way. While waiting in a subway station in Rome, Rory asked, "What would happen if I fell on the tracks?" After a joke, he put his hand on her shoulder, and said, "I would jump in and throw you out of the way, I would do whatever it took to save you." And, he would. Whatever the cost. In a moment, without hesitation or regret.
He is affectionate: holding, hugging and cuddling our children. His love is real and clear.
He tells us.
He shows us.
I know it.
So do they.
As soon as he arrives home from work, the girls drop whatever was before them, race to the door and gleefully squeal, "Daddy!" Each one, in turn, runs into his arms as he lifts them to the sky.
On the weekends, he usually lets me sleep in. He will tend to our girlies, rousing with them to get breakfast. Along with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, bits and pieces of conversation float to my bedroom...Ahhhh...
When I lose over $400 effortlessly during an already financially inflated trip, he comes alongside me with stories of his own -- recalling how the same thing happened to him. He reminds me that money is simply that, money - a means. Not an end. Not our end. He helps me breathe out the worry and guilt. I breathe in perspective and encouragement.
When things go terrifically wrong, he chuckles.
He works out what he can.
He stays up all night on the phone.
He runs a marathon inside the airport.
And, he holds my hand. A lot.
He tries a new hairstyle because the ladies in his life suggest it (a short-lived Mohawk, by the way).
He thinks about things - big picture and long term, surprising me with wisdom and foresight I don't possess (but, desperately need).
When someone has woken in the middle of the night with a bad dream or an upset tummy, they walk to his side of our bed. He rises to comfort and rock. Wisps of hair slip out of his firm grasp as a girl leans over - sick again. And, when one doesn't quite make it to the bathroom, he gently wipes her clean. Afterwards, the mop and towels are retrieved to tackle the rest of the mess.
He has handpicked all of our favorite pieces of furniture.
He takes our munchkins to the largest outdoor ice skating rink in Europe in the middle of winter and during the height of ice skating season. I mean, can you picture this? One robust man on white ice skates surrounded by little girls on what looks like shiny, wet glass?! It. Is. Fantastic.
He takes us ALL out on dates - alone. : )
He talks to me.
He shares himself with me.
I feel safe to do the same.
He listens to me. A lot.
As I set the table so the girls may paint, he walks in. "Can I paint, too? But, I don't know what to paint..." Female voices pipe in. "What about a sun?" "A flower?" "A balloon?" "An ogre?" You can guess his choice. Big blue eyes watch his every move. Suddenly, something strange occurs...ogres begin to pop up all across the table. They follow after him...
He is forbearing.
He is creative.
He is patient.
He is funny.
He takes responsibility.
He tells the truth -- even when Claire asks about his other girlfriends...and, if he kissed them. I know, awwwwkward.
He teaches us.
He leads us.
And, yet, we are a team.
While I handle the daily grind - checking math homework, signing reading logs and packing snacks, he's our 'Special Events' guy. He's the guy on the floor with our six year old and glitter glue -- forming a spiral galaxy from white space for the upcoming science fair. And, if you want to know why stars twinkle, ask him and the eight year old. Together, they spent hours brainstorming, planning, shopping and preparing a really cool explanation. I just threw in my two cents about where to put the fairy in outer space.
He is FUN!!!
I have seen him hurt by those close to him, fighting off frustration, yet not fighting back. Choosing peace. Choosing the truth. Choosing GRACE.
I have watched him relinquish and release worldly aspirations and dreams long hoped for -- without bitterness.
I have witnessed selfishness subside: anger fade: compassion and humility grow.
However, I am not married to a perfect person. As we know, no such thing exists (apart from Christ). Tragic decisions have been made. Weaknesses have been exposed. And, failure is a close friend -- to each of us.
I have married a man.
But, not simply any man...
A man of God.
A man who loves Jesus and me - the good, the bad and even the very ugly... Not because he considers my 'bad' not so bad or my 'ugly' - pretty, but because my groom's love is completely entangled with grace and forgiveness.
A man who parents so that I see glimpses of what my Heavenly Father must be like.
A man who cares for and watches over his family as a good shepherd would.
A man who lives before the face of God - wherever he is - and ushers his family to do the same.
A man who is my best friend and the most beloved person in my world.
My husband.
I love you, and I thank God for you.
Your Wife
"Be on alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." - 1 Corinthians 16:13, and a fitting description of my husband.
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