Today is my lovely wife's birthday. Along with the festivities of the day, I wanted to send her this simple yet heart-felt gift from me. Sarah, the following are among the many reasons why I joyfully rise and bless you (Proverbs 31:28):
• I love you with an increasing love – I love you more than I ever have before. And before the new day dawns, somehow that love will grow even more.
• You are my best friend – Foibles, shortcomings, less-than-ideal traits? Yup, I got ‘em. But there you are putting a shine in my soul. It seems trite to say that I don’t deserve you, but when I stop to realize that you have chosen to be my friend, I am simply in awe.
• Joy and happiness – Sixteen years ago this month, we started our ‘formal’ relationship. I have lived a good life. Pleasant is how I would describe the vast majority of every aspect of my life. But the years with you have been characterized by a deep joy that is hard to put into words. When I am around you, I am closer to becoming the man that I desire to be. When I away from you, I long.
• Your ‘phone’ voice – I don’t mind it…really.
• Motherhood – There are four people on the planet who view you as the greatest woman who ever lived. And daddy makes five.
• Sacrifice – A couple of weeks ago, we went to Target as a family. As we were checking out, we realized that everybody in the family got one thing (clothing, shoes, etc). And your ‘item’ was an everyday household food item. I owe you one (or one million).
• Content – This word beautifully describes you. You tremendously bless me with your display of this attractive characteristic. You don’t know how much I appreciate that. But I intend to start making sure you do.
• Unique quirks – You have some. But when I smile and shake my head at your satisfying enjoyment of eating a potato (a POTATO!!), I am not laughing. I am, well…I am loving everything about you. (and, yes, you will have the privilege of experiencing many potatoes throughout the course of your day today!)
• You got skillz! – When you get an idea in your head, I love it when you put your top-notch research abilities to work and start sniffing around. By doing so, you have saved us vast amounts of money, found us better living arrangements, educated the entire family, improved our health, and grown our relationships.
• Your laugh – Insert ‘excuse-me-pastor-but-somebody-is-tickling-me’ story here.
• Red/Green/Purple/Yellow/Blue/White/Black/etc – You look good in any color.
• Nobility – I pray that my daughters will follow in your footsteps and that my sons will be blessed by their wife as much as I have by mine.
• Change – You’re not the same person I married. You’re better.
This list is embarrassingly incomplete and constantly growing. I love you very much. Happy Birthday!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
What I Do When I Need a Big Gulp of 'Daddy Juice'
I like foolproof things. No chance of failing. No doubt about their success. If you are like me regarding that, and are a parent, then read on.
Let’s face it. People, even our own flesh and blood…even the cute and cuddly little kind, don’t always do what we want them to do. Sometimes that is a reflection of our own sin and misplaced desires. And sometimes it points to theirs. But all human relationships have ‘bumps in the road’. But I’ve got the perfect solution.
Actually, it’s not so much the solution as it is a tool to soften the hard hearts that may be in the way of it. Or maybe it’s a wonderful provision to help celebrate and remember the fix that grace enables us.
If and when you find yourself in a hard or difficult situation that can vaguely match the above, I’ve got a suggestion for you. Watch.
Watch your children.
Watch your children sleep.
Just go right into their room when they are good and sleep-consumed. Keep the hall light on and the door open. And just watch them sleep. It will be a tremendously peaceful experience. It will adjust and improve your attitude toward them. It will grow your love for them. It will increase your gratitude for them. It will multiply your prayers for them. You smile and whisper a prayer. And they sleep. It’s a great trade.
Anyway, I, uh, speak from experience here. Trust me, it’ll work.
Let’s face it. People, even our own flesh and blood…even the cute and cuddly little kind, don’t always do what we want them to do. Sometimes that is a reflection of our own sin and misplaced desires. And sometimes it points to theirs. But all human relationships have ‘bumps in the road’. But I’ve got the perfect solution.
Actually, it’s not so much the solution as it is a tool to soften the hard hearts that may be in the way of it. Or maybe it’s a wonderful provision to help celebrate and remember the fix that grace enables us.
If and when you find yourself in a hard or difficult situation that can vaguely match the above, I’ve got a suggestion for you. Watch.
Watch your children.
Watch your children sleep.
Just go right into their room when they are good and sleep-consumed. Keep the hall light on and the door open. And just watch them sleep. It will be a tremendously peaceful experience. It will adjust and improve your attitude toward them. It will grow your love for them. It will increase your gratitude for them. It will multiply your prayers for them. You smile and whisper a prayer. And they sleep. It’s a great trade.
Anyway, I, uh, speak from experience here. Trust me, it’ll work.
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