...name them by one by one...

"And let the wife see that she
respects her husband ~
that she notices him,
regards him,
honors him,
prefers him,
venerates and esteems him,
and that she defers to him,
and praises him,
and loves and admires him
exceedingly.
Ephesians 5:33

That's what this entry is all about. Throughout almost 14 years of marriage, my husband has remained committed, first and foremost, to our Creator God. And God has been doing such an amazing work in and through him. How I praise God for His beautiful design of marriage, for through it He has revealed to me more of what He is like. My husband so humbly and sacrificially loves me as Christ loves the church. I can't find sufficient words to express how greatly I respect and admire him.

Watching him "in action" brings me true delight. Perhaps it's while watching him lift his heart in song and praise to our great God. Or maybe while sitting under his dynamic teaching from God's Word. Or maybe he's simply encouraging a member of our church family and expressing his genuine concern. All these things cause me to give praise and thanks to God.

Perhaps it's when he's rolling around on the floor with our boys. Maybe it's while they're huddled around a book and visiting the world of Narnia. Or when he's kneeling at the bedside of our boys, praying that they'll be passionate about God and become godly men.

But then there's those moments when he's all alone; those moments that no one but God is intended to see. I've discovered something: those moments are no different than all the others, because he's consistent; he's real. As I've observed these quiet times, I've witnessed a man whose faith is strong; a man who delights in God's Word and takes refuge in it. Oh, how my heart rejoices in him!

I thank God...over and over again...for the precious gift of my husband. He is my best and most treasured friend. And at Thanksgiving and everyday, my heart cries out, "Thank you, God, for this amazing man you've given me!"