Last weekend, my wife had one of those days that we all occasionally have. She is not a person that often…okay, EVER complains so when she asked if I could just “listen” for awhile, I knew something was up. She does a great job of recapping what was weighing on her in this post, but it’s safe to say she was feeling like she was missing a purpose in her life. The reaction to her post was remarkable. People left kind words, one special friend brought a jug of sweet tea and our Pastor’s wife asked if she could re-post it. All that to say, guys…this is something we need to be aware of. I am going to go on the sword here and say that I am NOT good at recognizing this. It’s not that I don’t have massive amounts of respect for all that my lovely bride does and who she is, it’s that I don’t often express it.
Shame on me.
After she shared her heart with me, I tried to put in to words that basically, because of WHO she is and ALL that she does, I am able to be who I am and do all that I do. She is the CEO, CFO, Accounting and Human Resource Manager for the Conrad household. One small example is I don’t have the first clue how much we pay for groceries each month. I don’t know how much our gas, electric, cable, or water bill is. If you ask me to do something this weekend, I’d have to check with her. I don’t know our schedule. Without her…I am LOST! Literally.
Far more important, she is shepherding our kids hearts. Each morning she carves out time before school to do devotions with them. Any credit we get for great kids goes straight to my wife. THAT much I am sure of. Last, and certainly not least, I am thankful for the “Easy Silence” she creates for me. I got that phrase from the great philosophers “The Dixie Chicks”.
In the easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
In the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay
Her ability to “keep the world at bay for me” is remarkable. Like most, I work in a volatile, stressful, ever changing, never resting position. It’s no coincidence a majority of my co-workers and I are popping Nexium and blood pressure medicine every morning. We run a pretty crazy pace working for wall street. It’s chaotic and makes all that she does even more important. She keeps the world at bay. She allows for me to be a father to my kids and a husband to her because details have all been taken care of. It takes someone special and I am married to that someone. I really need to say it more often.
Heather’s post struck a chord with me because I had the same conversation with my wife. I discussed that in more detail in a response to Heather’s post, so I won’t repeat myself here. And, like you, I have no idea what our bills are month-to-month but I do know they get paid and the minutiae of life is draped by the one who God has put by my side. To her and to Heather I say, “Thank you.”
Thanks David. We both appreciated your kind words on her blog. Saying “Thank you” to them seems like it’s not enough to cover all that they do, but it’s the silence of not saying it that is far louder. Appreciate you bro.
Aaron, you were brilliant in this post. Heather is an amazing wife and mother and making the “Easy Silence” is not easily attained…it takes a loving, dedicated woman to make that possible.. Hats off to all Moms who make that possible for their spouses. Whether we are for or against Mitt Romney, no difference… but his wife has taken a hit recently about her being a “stay at home Mom”. The rest of the nation needs to see the value you have put on your wife. Women would be more content in their role as MOM and WIFE if their husbands gave them this kind of credit.
Thank you Carolyn. As you know, I was raised by a stay at home Mom and she was an amazing women. Had her qualities been accomplishments, the walls of our home would have been decorated with diplomas. Thank you for stopping in and leaving a comment.
I feel blessed for her by your words. So glad you two make such a great team, a blessed alliance. Her purpose is equally important. If she’s not read anything by Carolyn Custis James, you might choose a book for her. There’s such confusion and competition between men and womens roles in the church today, and C. James clears up a lot of that with the significance of both. Blessings to you and your lovely bride.
Thanks Robin. I will pass along the recommendation to her. Thank you for stopping by as well.