Perhaps Older, Definitely BETTER

Today is Angie's 39th (yes, 39th) birthday. If you've seen my post back in May about adult birthdays, then you know how I regard them - they are just not a big deal. Life doesn't stop because today is the anniversary of the day we were born. I was on a day trip to Cincinnati for my birthday. I wish this wasn't the case, as I really do enjoy being "King for a day", just don't get the chance anymore.

Let me first say that Angie is like a very fine wine...she just keeps getting better with age. Better looking, that goes without saying. However, she seems to be developing a wisdom and a comfort with herself that she didn't have before. Her relationship with the Lord is flourishing, and except for the occasional conflict with me around responsibilities, things haven't been this good since courting. She is surrounded by an exceptional group of friends, and we have excellent couples friends. Her relationship with the kids is strong, and she balances her roles are caregiver and disciplinarian well. All said, she's better than ever in every way.

That being said, I've recently been considering how I could treat her better, in a biblical sense. I am called to be a servant leader and to love her the way Jesus loved the church. Sometimes I can do that, but then scorekeeping gets in the way, and I lash out if I feel like she isn't responding to me "selflessness" the way I think she should. Ultimately, I've concluded that I am just not being selfless when I'm keeping score.

My problem is that I don't think I understand what it is to love her in this way, and that I am naturally selfish. What I have been thinking about is what would it be like for her if I treated EVERY day like it was her birthday. For example, this morning, I left a card on her pillow letting her know I loved her. I got out of bed to get the kids up when her alarm went off. I took Dylan to school instead of making her get out of the house. Imagine what it would be like if I did those types of things for her every day. I think perhaps that's what Ephesians means. I also realize that since I call recite back everything I've done for her today so far, that I am still keeping score. Maybe through practice and repetition that the scorekeeping part goes away.

I think I'll try to do that as much as possible, as well. Happy Birthday, sweetheart. I hope that everyday - today, and tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that, etc. etc. are like birthdays for you.

SL