Father Knows Best!

John is the song in my heart.  He is imperfectly perfect for me!  I had no doubt in my mind that this man was sent into my life from God.  John was the man that I had been praying for since high school.  He has the biggest heart and is the most compassionate person I know.  And he'd be glad to know that I think he is pretty funny, too! :)

John is wise.  He is stealth.  He has a way of waiting for just the right moment to share his thoughts.  I am known to be quite passionate about my own opinions...especially with my husband.  I am stubborn and tend to want to see things as black and white.  He nods respectfully and hears me out.  It maddens me to no end when I know he isn't quite on board with me, but is choosing to save his words for another time.  WISDOM.  He knows that disagreeing with me in that moment would be a bad decision.  I'll admit, I am FAR from perfect!

Recently, we have been wrestling with a decision having to do with the boys.  The basic issue had to do the the question, "What is BEST for the boys?"   I found myself going down the path of thinking that whatever requires the most sacrifice on my part had to be the best for the boys.  I was ready to commit to a decision that would require me to work more as a nurse.  I love being a nurse, but I love being home with the boys, too.  But, if it meant it was going to offer our boys the BEST of things, than I would do it.

John proposed that maybe we weren't making the right choice.  Giving the best to our kids isn't necessarily what is important.  Being the best for them is what matters.  If I worked more hours that took me away from being able to maximize my time with the boys, it would bring stress.  I would miss my time with them.  They would sense my frustration.  Noah and Demetri live to see us smile.  Their world falls apart when we are upset or frustrated.  Noah loves coming home from school and hearing Demetri and me shout, "Hi, Noah!  Welcome home!" 

BEING the best mom and wife is very different from trying to GIVE the best to them.  At least, what is the best for them as defined in my mind and by society's measure.  John and I remaining in a loving relationship and me not crashing myself into exhaustion IS giving the best to them.  They want US.  That's it.  Nothing else.  They want our love, our time, our discipline (even though they don't realize this yet!), and our stability.  If a decision requires adding stress whether it is financial or otherwise, I have learned that it is the wrong decision.  Not to say that there aren't times when sacrifice is required of us.  However, the question is, what are we willing to sacrifice and what are we sacrificing for?  It might be for a GOOD idea, but I have to know if it is a GOD idea.

John, thank you for your wisdom.  I know that your love for God and the time you spend on your knees in prayer is what is as the root of your wisdom.  However, I appreciate your tenderness toward us and sensitiviy in how to "handle" me. 

I am eternally grateful for a husband that will search the heart of God for answers.  So, for me, Father Knows Best applies in more than one sense of the phrase.  I love you, John!