My Blessing

It goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway.  There are distinct differences between men and women.  Pretty deep, I know.  But, stay with me – it gets better.

I bet you think today’s blog is going to revolve around a hot topic in our country – transgenderism.  Well, it’s not.

(Here’s a sad note – spell check didn’t stop me on “transgenderism.”  Confirming its existence as a real-live word.)

I wouldn’t want you to waste your time reading this blog, or any other blog, that just used its space and First Amendment rights to blab about everything that is wrong with the world.  If you read what I posted a few weeks ago, you already know my thoughts on finding fault in everything.  Those who want to be offended will find something to satisfy that desire.

I do know that it’s weird and that I don’t understand the stated desires of people who are born one gender, yet swear they should be the other.  But, I have the same feelings about sushi, footed pajamas, and watching parades on TV.  All are weird to me and I don’t understand the attraction others have to them.  It doesn’t make me judgmental and doesn’t doom them for all eternity.  As always, their separation from Christ takes care of that, just like it does for any clean-cut, “normal” person who does not accept Him.

So, since I’ve established that that’s a blog topic for another day (and another writer), here’s where I’m going with the “men and women are different” statement.  It has nothing to do with the anatomical makeup.  It has everything to do with the thoughts and emotions.  And if you thought the anatomy was different, the emotional and thinking differences are off the charts.

But, let me tell you why I love that they are different.  And yes, I’m going to use Jaclyn and I as examples.  (I’m writing this from a hotel in Middle TN, so any reaction or retaliation from her will not be physical for at least 24 hours – in case some of you were worried for my safety.)

When our kids get sick (and since we have four, that feels like a constant battle from November until April), I don’t tend to sound any major alarms.  Jaclyn, on the other hand, may get worried a little more quickly than I do.

Case in point #1 – this week, Kane was sick for a couple of days.  Because he didn’t feel good, he didn’t eat much on Tuesday at all.  Which means he had no energy and laid around either relatively lifeless or napping most of the day.  Jaclyn began to worry that something more severe might be at hand, while I tried to rationalize that his body simply had no fuel and he would be fine once his appetite returned.  He ate a good breakfast and lunch today and, by this afternoon was toddling barefoot across the gravel driveway.  (Which was pretty impressive by the way, since I look like a young island teenager going through a rite of passage across hot coals whenever I try to do it.)  So, this time, my logic prevailed over her concern.

Case in point #2 – a few years ago, JP had the same symptoms.  Was lethargic, didn’t want to eat or drink, and just felt awful in general.  I took the same approach, and so did Jaclyn.  I’m fuzzy on the details, so long-story-short, JP ends up in the hospital on an IV for dehydration.  Her panic was spot on, while my calm and collectedness didn’t really help in that instance.

I could give differences for days, but here’s where I’m going with this:

I.

Love.

My.

Wife.

Seriously – that’s it.  I love the way she thinks, I can’t stop staring at her beauty, I never cease to be amazed at the wife and mom that she is, and I thank God for her heart that seeks after Him.

When I think about my three boys and look towards their future, I pray that they find their Jaclyn.

How many kids can say that when their house was built, their mom wrote scripture on the wood frames that would be hidden forever beneath the painted sheet rock, protecting and covering them?  How many one-year old boys can say that their mother was so worried for their health that they woke up at 3 in the morning just to pray scripture over them in their sleep?  How many young girls have a mom that models for them what a tough, independent, smart, and praying woman of God looks like?  My kids have all of that.

Scripture says that the wife should be submissive to the husband.  True.  But, it also says that husbands should respect their wives, not treat them harshly, and to love them as Christ loved the church – sacrificially and unconditionally.  Proverbs also says that if you find a good wife it shows that God is good to the husband.

Then, thank you, God, for loving me.  And for the differences between Jaclyn and me that make us work.

. . . and find me three more for my three boys.

“Her children stand and bless her.  Her husband praises her: There are many capable and virtuous women in the world, but you surpass them all.”
– Proverbs 31:28-29