I watched our wedding highlight video yesterday at the insistence of Miss Anni. She loves watching it but is still is a bit “irked” she was not invited and explanations of her non-existence seem to do little to sway her feelings about being overlooked and slighted. She did however pointedly tell me “well, Mama, I will invite YOU to MY wedding.” Well, then.
As I watched I realized that almost ten years have passed since that shiny, special, and awesome day. I am glad (well, in the interest of full disclosure I do wish for those pre-nursing boobs and wicked buff arms) but seriously I love J more now than I did then. Because we know each other more. We are more of a team. We have been through so much and that has deepened our commitment and love. We have precious little watoto. And I cannot wait for see where life’s journey takes us next. Yep, lots of reasons.
But I was also convicted. Many days I take him for granted. Many days I find things to pick apart instead of build up. And “yes” he has things he can work on but so do I. And I was convinced I need an attitude adjustment in this area. I want to be the woman written about here (well, except maybe the selecting wool and flax part since that may require a whole skill set I do not posses) . This part specifically has really been challenging me:
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Pretty high calling, eh?
I read a friend’s blog this morning and she wrote about the same thing-(thanks Kim) God has been doing that a lot lately in my life. Teaching me something only to have it confirmed by something or someone else. Maybe He knows I need a swift and firm butt-kicking to act. Point taken. I want to love better not so I can “get something” out of it but so that I can learn to follow Jesus more closely. It is J’s birthday this month and I think a pretty great gift would be a more loving and encouraging wife.
So I am gonna dive in and try DO the 30 day Husband Encouragement Challenge-(http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pdf/30DayChallenge.pdf) Here is the link if you want to try it with me! We can share stories and encourage each other! Let me know if you are in!
* a rare dinner out with some team mates embracing our FULL wazungu-ness….mostly shaven J, hair down me, and pizza!! It is oh so good!