Today started out relatively normal. My dad had a meeting, so i was a bit excited to find i could get on his computer. By the time we had the kids sorted with their breakfast and other stuff, i was able to get online around 10:30 a.m. Wouldn't you know it...the power went out at 10:45. First we thought it was a mistake and would come back on at any minute...it didn't. Then we thought they were doing their brown out thing a little earlier in the day and the power would be back on by 12:30...it didn't. Around 1:00, mom went to see what the problem was...turns out, every once in a while, our municipality cuts tree branches by the power lines. Our power lines are not insulated, and therefore are live wires. If a tree branch touches it, it'll most likely catch on fire...which will consume the entire tree and most likely the house that "owns" the tree. Hence the regular pruning of trees. And while pruning, they turn off the power box that feeds these wires...today was our turn. I asked mom if the city knew, so that they couldn't combine our brown out with municipal pruning...of course not. The municipal guys were done around 2:00, but of course that was in time for our city brown out and we continued in the dark heat until 3:00 p.m.- more than 4 hours!!! In the middle of the day!!! It was sweltering - even S had a "glow" about him. On the bright side...we didn't have to pay for this sauna.
My reflections tonight centered around how much i appreciate S. Since we've been married, i've come to appreciate the hard work that goes into a good marriage. And i am in awe of couples that have been married for 50 years...i want us to be one of them. I've also learned that unless both of us consistently work on your marriage, it will not last, no matter how hard one of us tries. In recent years, i have several friends whose marriages have failed due to several reasons, adultery, abuse, addiction, etc. Some are fortunate to have married again, others are still looking and hoping, and still others are done with the whole business and worse - they have lost hope. I can't blame them...i just pray that God will heal their wounds and return the hope of a lifelong love.
As i dwell on these thoughts, i realize that i don't appreciate my husband enough. I have a good marriage, in fact, for having just crossed the five year mark - i have a great marriage! Things i love about S:
He does not let me schlump through my marriage, but encourages me to sort through issues straightaway and not let them fester. I am the festering sort and i'm glad he doesn't let me do that in our marriage.
He is not a "philanderer" - i never have to worry about that.
He treats me better than i deserve.
He challenges my faith. He's not afraid or apathetic toward asking hard questions...of himself and of me.
He still tells me i'm beautiful and isn't too shabby looking himself.
He makes me laugh
He pushes himself into a more meaningful relationship with God, even though the methods might be a little unorthodox. He really seeks to unpack Scripture and make it as applicable to life as possible.
He loves our kids. No one else loves my kids as much as i do, except him. They might not be dressed properly, or fed, but they will be safe and loved. I can't ask for more.
I love you, S
