This morning as I was getting ready for work I hurried around, not only getting dressed, but also critiquing my surroundings for anything amiss. Our home was for sale, and today someone would be coming to see it. I was filled with a mild anxiety that I wouldn’t be present beforehand to ensure everything was just right, and the task for last minute sprucing-up would fall on my husband.
Men aren’t like women at all, and housework would qualify as one of those arenas where my spouse and I differed. He didn’t see things like I saw things, and what I might consider disarray went unnoticed by him.
This morning he slept soundly, as did the children while I made my morning rounds wiping faucets until they shined, and worrying if the four year old would leave toothpaste residue in the sink. I watched him sleeping, and stopped when I passed by to kiss him farewell for the day. He usually slept through the light brush of my lips, but this morning his eyes fluttered open, and he smiled a sleepy smile for me.
“I appreciate you.” I told him then. “In case I forgot to tell you.”
That was the thing; it was easy to forget, you know?
In the midst of growing a family, gratitude could fall to the wayside. In the stress of life’s situations the contributions of others could easily be missed. And even if they weren’t, sometimes you were just too preoccupied to say so. But don’t we all desire to know we are needed, loved, and especially appreciated?
My husband and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye on everything, yet we somehow made it work. Our weaknesses and strengths combined to create a cohesive team that got things accomplished. We were different, but that was a good thing.
When one was down, the other was there to lend a hand. When one fell short the extra measure needed was provided in turn. I did so much for our family, but my husband did too. And when I stopped for a moment, taking my eyes off just myself, I could see more clearly his contributions. And when I took the time to acknowledge his efforts I cultivated our marriage relationship.
Sometimes it was easy to forget.
I had a full schedule, but it was accompanied by a full life. And more importantly a full heart.
Life could be difficult, but I was blessed not to face the strife alone.
Before I departed for the morning, and left the day’s work in my capable husband’s hands, I prayed for him. And I ended my prayerful petition with this.
“I appreciate him, Lord.” I prayed. “In case I forgot to tell you.”