A Love Letter to Your Daddy

Ephesians 5:22-33 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body...Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it...So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh: but nourish and cherish it, even as the Lord the church. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." 

You often hear some of these verses at weddings or maybe even in men boosting, "Wives submit yourselves unto your husband." But what a tall order our husbands face! Yes, women are to submit themselves, but what type of husband are we to submit ourselves to? Husbands are to love us as themselves. Sounds simple enough, but what a truly difficult task! When your husband loves you as themselves, then the wife can easily submit to her husband because a true, genuine, loving partnership has been formed. How easy it is to then become one flesh when you are that connected.

I often hear people say, "Marriage is hard. You have to really work at it." And I don't disagree with that. Marriage can be difficult. Your daddy and I have definitely had our fair share of ups and downs. But when you put each other's needs first, it becomes so much easier.

I did not learn this this week, but it was definitely magnified to me as I watched your father working so hard for our family. I watched as he moved our entire house without any complaint - except when he felt I wasn't resting or drinking enough water. I watched as he sacrificed his physical body without complaint and continued to push on. I watched the concern and worry etched on his face as he watched me rub my belly, probably wondering if I was having a contraction. I watched as he continued to work ridiculously long hours, all while telling me to sit, rest, and not overdo it. I watched as he stopped to take care of you boys in the midst of all he was trying to accomplish, so that I could continue to lay low. I saw a man that truly loved his family as himself, putting our needs above his own.

My precious little ones, your father is such an example of never ending, selfless giving. He works hard for all he cares about, putting his needs last (evidenced by all the friends and family that came to return your Daddy's good deeds, by helping him move an entire house alone). He loves us all unconditionally and more than we will ever know. And by loving us, he makes it easy for us to keep him as the head of our household. What a beautiful and strong leader he is for our family.

I know without a doubt in my mind, that this man, your daddy, was put on this earth to love me and to be my husband. There is not a man out there more perfectly made for me than your daddy. I have prayed for you boys since before you were born (and have now included you into those prayers as well, Baby Peanut) that God already has your perfect partner in mind. I pray boys, you are able to love your wives as yourself, just as your father has done for me. I pray you have a marriage that is unified and pure. Baby Peanut, I pray for a man that will love you as himself, making it easy for you to submit yourself to him and your marriage. I pray that all three of you find the joy and love that I have found in your daddy.

One of my most favorite songs says, "Oh I wonder what God was thinking when he created you. I wonder if He knew everything I would need because he made all my dreams come true. When God made you, He must have been thinking about me." I know God made us for each other and I am so thankful for this life He has allowed for us to create together.