the husband jackpot

Now, don't tell my wife this, I don't want her bragging to everyone... but, I am pretty sure that she won the husband lottery. I mean, c'mon, I am an amazing cook, I work hard at a job I love to provide for our family, I clean the bathrooms, I do the dishes, I even do my own laundry... I'm thoughtful, insightful, I have a strong, growing relationship with my Lord and Savior, I teach discipleship classes, I serve with an awesome group of men, I'm funny, I'm smart, I'm compassionate, I'm ferociously in love with her, I am passionate about the things I care about most, and on top of it all... I'm pretty good looking.

You know what I think is the most ridiculous thing about that previous paragraph? There are times I fail to remember why any of that is true. Many of the statements above are exaggerated, and others are accurate, but one thing remains constant through them all, I am only who I am because of the love and support of those closest to me, and because of the grace of a God that loves me unconditionally.

I cook well because my mom invested time in teaching me how much fun it is, and how to enjoy feeding others. The foods I cook are only on the plate because of the time my wife spends tracking down recipes, because she researches the ads to get the best prices, because she wrangles two kids through the grocery store to bring home the ingredients, and because she entertains them while I am in the kitchen.

I work hard at a job I love because 7 years ago, she didn't laugh when I told her I wanted to be a nurse. She encouraged me, and supported me through those years. She helped me stay focused on accomplishing my goals, even through my mom's illness. Without her support, I wouldn't be supporting this amazing family.

I clean bathrooms and do dishes because they are small ways I can help out around the house to express my appreciation. She does so much, the least I can do is do the gross jobs. That includes my laundry, because lets face it, boy laundry is smelly... nurse laundry is smelly... boy-nurse laundry is darn near toxic.

I am thoughtful, insightful, and growing in my faith because she invested time in me 13 years ago to reintroduce me to the one true God. Since then, she has willfully listened to the ebb and flow of my growth. She encourages me to seek God in new and different ways. She encouraged me to take on the task of leading in discipleship, and prays for me, she introduced me to these men along whom I serve.

My wife is an amazing woman, her constant support and love has pushed me to become the man I am today. Her investment in me drives me to want to be the best man I can be. God uses her, in direct and powerful ways, as He continues to pursue me, to change me, to grow me. Everything I am now, everything that is good in me, is only there because of the work that God has done in my life... and He has accomplished most of the work through her. I am only a good catch because my wife caught me. I hope to do a good job of living up to the husband she deserves, and I am immensely saddened by the times that I have failed miserably.

I thank God every morning when I wake up, and she is laying beside me for another day.