Happy Valentine's Day!

Some days I have a lot to say and others, not so much. Last Valentine's Day I had 3 posts. I was feeling chatting. I read through them and they were good reminders for me so I reposted them below. We've really been enjoying our quiet nights lately. Not a lot going on, maybe it's the calm before the storm?!? Tonight the calm consisted of a great meal, looking through our wedding book, drinking tea, and chats in the rocking chairs. I really appreciate these nights, but I'm sure I won't have full appreciation until after baby comes and these night are rare.

The squeeze of love is still happening around this house. The squeeze had to be modified to accommodate the bump. I no longer jump. Patrick is probably happy about this now that it would be 20 more pounds to hold. When I want to give him a really tight squeeze I have to bend to make room for baby. I feel like a little kid squeezing their parent's leg at the candy store. There's so much love and energy in a squeeze that I'm not willing to give it up, no matter what I look like.

Why fruits and veggies....because I love you!
My last two posts ended in questions. Questions always get me thinking. Today my question to myself was “Are you a crazy wife?” It started off early this morning, really early. We were up before the sun, for last minute details for Pat’s lunch. I asked, “Did you get your fruits and veggies?” A not so concerned and groggy guy mumbled, “yes baby”. He has forgotten once before, so I thought I would just double check. Anyways, off to work Patrick went.



So there I was at work nonchalantly sharing the story about making sure Pat has fruits and veggies for lunch. I got a “you are crazy” look. At lunch I was driving and the question popped into my head “Are you a crazy wife?”. I quickly answered that question with the “No, I’m not”. I don’t believe this is the way the people at work meant it, but it made me think. Well now that I know I’m not crazy on to the next questions: why am I concerned about fruits and veggies? That’s easy…because I love him and I want him to be healthy. I’m not the crazy wife that is doing it to try to torture him with veggies. It’s for his good. Well Patrick, I promise to never force feed you with healthy food, but I might give you a friendly reminder every once and a while. Coming from a family with heart problem history, I want to make sure we can do everything possible to prevent those problems. For now, I like to have fruits and veggies in his lunch on most days. I want to see him stick around for a while, because have I mentioned that I kind of like him?! For Patrick, I want to see many year of him being healthy and full of energy…that’s my favorite way to see him!

 This is just one small habit that I have. It made me think about all the other habits I have. Why did I start those habits? Are those habits created out of love? If not, are they necessary? Oh how one simple "you are crazy" look can trigger so many other thoughts. Good thoughts though. There's always room for improvement.
 
Squeeze of Love
It’s not about finding your soulmate. It’s about being a soulmate. How can I become a better soulmate? After asking myself this questions. I vowed that I will not only tell Patrick but I will show him how much I love him and how special he is each and every day. Since that day, I don’t let him get past the entry way without greeting him. I hear the garage door, then drop everything, run down the steps and jump into his arms, wrap my legs around him and squeeze him. Sometimes I get too excited, squeeze too hard and then he says “I can’t breathe.” : ) If we ever re-write our vows to each other, I will include: “I vow to tell you and show you how much I love you and how special you are to me each and every day!”
Is this something you are willing to vow too? How are you going to show them?
 
It’s not a dress rehearsal. It’s God’s play.



I really like the analogy that we are all characters in God’s play. We’re given a role to play and a character to be. Giving up control and handing it over to God has always been a struggle for me. The idea of being God’s puppet makes me smile. Isn’t it fun?! I’m glad God picked my character to be Pat’s wife. I remember disagreeing with God when we first met though. It went something like this.


“Dear God, Boys haven’t been very high on my priority list. They have caused me quite a bit of pain in the past. I really like Patrick. I’m so thankful that you sent this guardian angel to help me through this time. Through you, he healed my bruised and broken heart. I’m pleading with you to send him on his next mission now. I don’t want to become too attached. I’ve watched the news lately. There is a lot of pain and hurt in this world. Someone like Patrick that works for you must be really busy. He’s so strong, powerful, and loving. I’m fine now; you can send him on to help the next person. Once again, thank you. You're great. Amen.”


Well, over seven years later this guardian angel that was sent to me when I was down and out is still with me. The Big Man upstairs is the one to thank for that. Patrick is still that strong, powerful, and loving person. I now know that it was God’s strength, power, and love that were speaking to me through Pat. It’s God’s play. In that scene, Patrick was playing the role of the character that God assigned.


What role do you play in God’s play?