I am reading an amazing book with a very supportive group of women. The book is How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids, by Rachael Carman. The introduction and first chapter were awesome. The second chapter was equally good, but quite a bit more painful. The chapter, Enrich Your Marriage, brought to light some things that I have needed to deal with for a while. Through the examples in the book, prayers with the other ladies in the group, direction from my God, and a confessing conversation with my husband, I am grateful to have my priorities back in alignment.
And I continue to count my blessings, seeking {and finding} the beauty in the everyday.
648. The friends who are real, pointing me to my Savior, and reminding me to first look within myself {sort of like taking the beam out of my own eyes}.
649. Wisdom in a conversational style, filled with life examples and humor, but most of all a desire that all mothers would know that their marriages are worth fighting for, and that children are learning from the marriage(s) of their parents.
650. Literally being on my face before the Lord.
651. How quickly He come in and takes over when I finally let go.
652. A husband who is the delight of his children, and the protector of his wife.
653. A husband who is my champion. {Killer of spiders, and conquerer of basements}
654. A husband who is my teacher, my pastor.
655. A husband who is my biggest fan. {Which did not happen over night. He used to be threatened by any musical event or opportunity, and now he often times mentions my getting a graduate degree in music. Well — he stopped mentioning it after I firmly told him that if I were to get a graduate degree it would be in something like technology integration.}
656. A husband who is the answer to the prayers that I didn’t even know that I should pray.
657. A husband who honors me. {I remember specifically a time when he worked in retail / customer service, and a customer offered him tickets to a show that she was in. When he realized what kind of show that it was, and exactly what she meant by being a dancer, he walked back over to her, thanked her, and said that he was sorry, but he loved his wife and didn’t feel comfortable attending those kind of events. The poor guy was thinking classical music, tutus, and a date-worthy event to bring me to. He handled the whole situation in love, and I still remember how treasured I felt afterwards.}
658. A husband with a heart of gold. Seriously. He is one of the most compassionate and caring people that I have ever met.
659. A husband who can COOK! :) And likes to! If only we weren’t on opposite schedules during the school week and so exhausted on the weekends!
660. A husband who works hard, and has a strong work ethic. {Again, a change that happened as he let the Lord lead him and guide him.}
661. Coming up on the ten year wedding anniversary to the man who is truly my match. <3
662. Following what I knew what God was telling me to do {marrying this crazy guy that I barely knew} even though “worldly wisdom” insisted that I was the crazy one.
663. The evidence of God’s faithfulness all around me – in the faces of my boys, the playroom littered with toys, the way He leads us in every decision.
664. The privilege of standing beside my husband as God grows him into the calling that He has placed on him.
I am thankfully, gratefully and prayerfully linking up with Amanda Pelser (H.E.A.R.T book club) and Ann Voskamp (and the many, many others counting our Multitudes on Mondays).
This post was written by
Meredith – who has written 351 posts on My Journey to Authenticity.
Meredith was born, raised, and now raises her family (with her husband Randy) in the beautiful state of Maine. Together, they are planting a church, relying on God every step of the way. She also has the privilege of being the band director for the town where they live. Life is full, busy, and full of laughter and music. Meredith can also be found writing for Must Love God and 3 in 30 .
I love this post, also! Especially #656. My husband is the answer to prayers I didn’t even know I had, too! What a blessing. I wish you many more blessings to count:)
What a wonderful list. So glad that God started working on you before everything happened this week.
*hugs*
Me too.
His plans are SO good.
Meredith, this is absolutely beautiful. You should print this out and hang it up! You have challenged me to be blessed more by my husband, specifically to “count my blessings”of him, because there are so many of them! Thank you for this! And praying, praying, praying for healing!
Lauren,
I TREASURE your friendship.
Getting to *know* you through the book club has been one of the best parts!!!!
love #650 and so happy you are blessed with a wonderful husband – God is good!
I loved it too. Well… more so after the fact.
Meredith, It was a joy to read and re-read the blessings you counted in your husband and marriage. I’m so glad HEART is touching you in this way! The photo of your guys is so cute. I love the blankie and dog who also made it into the picture–awww, so cute.
Michelle recently posted..H.E.A.R.T. Check Up #2
*grin*
I love that my boys have a lovey.
And thank you… your support, and your own transparency on this journey has been so encouraging.
<3
“656. A husband who is the answer to the prayers that I didn’t even know that I should pray.”
I love this! How true this is! I am so grateful for you, Meredith, and the ways you tenderly let God lead you. Beautiful post.
Denise J. Hughes recently posted..The Nephew {Life, Death, and God’s Ironic Sense of Humor}
You bless me, sweet friend.
Thank you so much.
I’m enjoying our book / book club too! Blessings!
My hubby is the killer of house centipedes. Ever had those? Horribly ugly creatures and super fast.
Blessings to you and yourS!
Rachel Wojnarowski recently posted..Finishing: Easier Than We Think
house centipedes??? EEEEK!!!!!
*shudder*
No. We have not had those.
(Thank you, Jesus!)
Meredith recently posted..The last #3in30 of January. Already?
I love all the thankfulness for your husband and all he does. What a gift, for sure!!!
Positively Alene recently posted..Joy Dare {gifts unaware}
Thank you, Alene.
The real gift is finally having the heart/eyes to SEE the gifts that were always there.
What a beautiful list this morning! It makes me want to go hug my man right now, this very minute! Sounds like a great book.
Rebecca recently posted..Living Fully Right Where I Am
Yes… it is an AWESOME book.
I was nervous going into it that it would be really focused on home-schooling and that I would feel guilt or condemnation for having to work, but so far it has just been pointing me right to Jesus and dealing with my own heart stuff… and AMEN… but OW.
Meredith, I can hear Your Heart – and I’m happy You are so wonderfully blessed!
Lynden recently posted..My Prayer for 2012 -
What a blessing you have in your husband! I know mine makes my list practically every week. What a gift to share this life with a man who loves so big!
Amen, and amen.
My prayer is to continually see him as His God sees him. My own self gets in the way far too often.
What a wonderful list!
Great list. Needed the reminder about how wonderful it is to have a godly husband. THANKS!!!!!
Amy recently posted..a life of gratitude (344-370)
It shames me to realize how often I am focusing on the little, inconsequential things and not focusing on that VERY huge blessing of his pursuit of our Savior.
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Meredith recently posted..Top Ten Blessings in the the Middle of a Scary Trial
This is definitely something I needed to read today! Thanks for being real and honest in your list. Praise Him for the gift of godly husbands!
*hugs*
I just love how He works.
It is so awesome that we are able to encourage each other so much by just being real.
Meredith, I love the blessings your husband bestows upon you and how those blessings….will increase the love in your marriage….focusing on Good….that is what we are told to do!!! I so love reading this book with you!
God is so good. The time of this was just – - – awe inspiring.
Humbled by His love for us.
And I have treasured the opportunities to get to know you better through this!