Ode to Husbands

It’s Valentine’s Day!  A season where chocolates and flowers are lavishly showered upon women all across the nation.

But ladies, this year I propose we turn the tables and acknowledge the men.  Those husbands and fathers who faithfully and sacrificially serve our families day after day with precious little fanfare.

In this context I offer up a simple, yet heart-felt little sonnet.  It flowed from my heart recently after re-reading the inspired Word of God penned by Solomon in the latter half of Proverbs 31; my humble treatise below attempts to parallel that Scriptural powerhouse verse by verse.  On this day of love, may I take this opportunity to introduce you to the tall, dark and handsome man who won my heart 28 years ago?  And in doing so, I hope you are inspired to pay tribute to the unsung hero in your life as well.  (And, yes - every scenario below is true.)

The Husband of Noble Character

¹ Wow…where in the world can you find a husband with noble character any more!?  He is worth far more than any diamond ring on a woman’s finger.

² His wife has full confidence in his fidelity and lacks nothing of true value. 

³ He speaks fondly of her in front of his friends, and never betrays her confidence when he’s out in public.

⁴ He finds killer deals on car parts, and then labors in the driveway all afternoon until those squeaky brakes are fixed.

⁵ He’s like the FedEx truck, driving clear across town to get the best deal at Home Depot.

⁶ He dons his work gear at 2 am and climbs up on the roof because the wind has kicked up, and the plastic sheeting which was supposed to prevent the leak just ripped loose.

⁷ He negotiates a fair price to purchase a used car for his daughter who’s heading off to college; and with the money he saves, fixes up the family car for his son.

⁸ Without a second thought, he scrambles out the door to rescue a stranded family member in an automotive emergency – from the engine that stalls in a flooded roundabout, to the timing belt that quits alongside the I-25 freeway at midnight.  And believe me -- his arms can easily lift that tire at the side of the road!

⁹ He tracks the ever-changing value of silver and gold, and saves up to place a tiny order when the price is just right; and speaking of finances -- he stays up late to help his wife pay the bills.

¹⁰ In his hand he holds the wrench and grasps the greasy bolt with his fingers.

¹¹ He opens his heart to the overlooked soul at the nursing home, and even listens to the talkative stranger next to him on the airplane (instead of pretending to fall asleep like the rest of us would!)

¹² When it snows, the wood pile is stocked, and when that runs out, he’s got kerosene for the portable heater - just to make sure his family won’t freeze.

¹³He installs the upholstery on his ’66 Mustang himself; in the winter he drives a used, but clean little Ranger truck.

¹⁴ His wife is secure in her ministry where she is free to blossom because of his tender care.

¹⁵ He drafts contours for underneath city streets, and supplies the developers with a precise set of plans.

¹⁶ He carries himself with quiet strength, and smiles when he thinks about growing old with his wife.

¹⁷ He speaks with wisdom, and trains his children to always love one another, and the Lord above all.

¹⁸ He’s aware of “who needs what” in his family, and works 9-10 hour days to provide for them.

¹⁹ The older his daughter and sons grow, the more they recognize what an incredible Dad they’ve got; his wife, too, is incredibly proud to bear his name!

²⁰ She says, “Lots of dynamic speakers and authors pass through the Family Talk office, but you stand head and shoulders above them all!”

²¹ Political charisma comes and goes, and athletic prowess is fleeting, but the man who is honorable and full of integrity in his home -- where it really counts -- is to be respected.

²² It’s time to honor him for decades of godly character, and let his years of quiet steadiness be acknowledged publicly in the blogosphere.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Steve.  I love you!

Yours always,

LuAnne