Unexpected Blessing

My initial response was disbelief. How could he!!??!!

Are my ears deceiving me? How could he say something so cruel? And, about me? Why would he describe me in that way?

I do so much more than that! And, he knows it!

It didn't take long before disbelief turned to anger. Okay, outrage. I admit it, my blood was beginning to boil. I was cocked and ready, armed with a list, and I was going to set the record straight! Then, something wonderful happened... I began to "hear", possibly for the first time, my husband's heart. It unraveled like this...

Being no stranger to "surprise" workday visits from my hubby, I am well aware that they rarely work to my advantage. Since he started his own business, I often see my man throughout the day. And honestly, most times, these visits are very disruptive to my routine. On this day, however, it was different.

My husband came in and told me that he and the refrigerator repairman had pulled up at the same time. He said he had some free time, and he would deal with the repairman. My wonderful hubby said I should pretend they were not even there. Oh my, this was unexpected. Wonderfully, unexpected.

I could hear their conversation, well enough to know, my husband described the problem perfectly. The repairman quickly found the problem. He said it was an easy fix, and that the repair was covered completely under warranty. Well, that's all I needed to hear! So, I tried to tune them out. Not one of my strong points. I tried. I tried. I couldn't.

I gave in with a smile, and listened to the exchange of small talk between the repairman and my hubby. Boy, he was a chatty thing! This repairman was relentless! With the usual "guy" stuff, he just kept pelting my guy with questions. By now, I am convinced this is a divine appointement. I laughed, and thanked God for bringing him to our door. Then it happened...

This inquizitive man asked my husband a question I never saw coming. He asked, "so what does your wife do?" To which, my guy answered, "she takes care of me."

Because this is where the story began, you probably already know that my warm fuzzies quickly turned icy cold. Long gone were the thoughts of divine appointments. They had been replaced by thoughts of this insensitive, and evil, man I was sharing my life, and now (feeling way to small) house with.

Just as I was preparing to go in there, I paused.

I paused long enough to actually "hear" my husband's words.

The repairman said, "Wow, You are a lucky man!" And, my husband responded, "I am lucky. My wife does a lot of things. But, mostly she takes care of me."

Wow, that was hard to hear. Did he really mean mostly? The truth of the matter was, lately I had little time to take care of anything! My life was so full, I knew that was not true.

I began to pray.

Later that day, long after the repairman was gone, I asked my husband about his words. I asked him if he really meant that mostly, I take care of him. He said yes.

We both laughed when I called him a big liar.

I hugged my guy, and promised to do a better job.

I am convinced that God did send the "chatty" repairman to my door, but not for the reasons I had first thought. I believe God sent him to show me that my priorities were out of balance.

I have been blessed with a man that supports and encourages me to use the gifts that God has given me. He deserves more than just my left-overs.

Father God, thank you for the gift of marriage. It is such a privilege to share our lives with our husbands. As wives, may we never forget that our husbands deserve our best. May we be helpers suitble to our own husbands. And Father God, may we always pause in our anger so we may hear our husband's heart. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Life Changing Love

There is no sweeter memory than falling in love. You know, over-your-head, in-too-deep, no-turning-back, life-changing-love. The kind of love that smacks you right in the heart, and forever leaves it's mark.

Not sure such a love exists? I assure you it does - I am living proof.

The day I met Him, I knew I was a goner! He was so unlike anyone I had ever met. He pursued me, protected me, loved me, and cared for me. I was blown away by His depth of devotion. It was easy to love Him because, He had first loved me. I gave Him my heart and He was faithful.

Over the years, just as in the beginning, He continued to pursue, protect, love, and care for me. Even in the times when my heart grew cold for Him, He stayed. He never ceased calling me to return to Him. How it must have grieved Him to watch me give to others what belonged to Him.

Years after I first gave Him my heart, I gave up the fight. When I surrendered, I embraced His heart and accepted His love. That's the day forever etched in my heart, the day I fell head-over-heels in love with Jesus. Today, that love compels me to tell others, this Love does exist.