That look. That look in his eyes gives me goosebumps. That look from 4 years ago when we were dating and decided to take some random fun pictures at a park remains the same even today. It looks like the picture below, of him
holding our son for the first time in one arm and holding my hand in the other as the midwife tended to me in the delivery room.
And do you know just what that look holds? It encompasses love, affection, loyalty, servant leadership, sacrifice, appreciation, patience, gentleness, and pure joy that he offers to the young woman God ordained that he should meet, court, and marry. It holds commitment, saying, "I love you no matter what, I promise." It holds a vow to God to love me as Christ loves the church and laid His life down for her.
I love this guy so much, my heart almost explodes when I stop to think of just how blessed I am that God brought us together. I do not even come close to deserving him.
This man loves so well. He sets a wonderful example for me of what it means to live a daily labor of love. Can I just boast in the Lord's work through this man for a moment?
Since we met, Nathan has been a humble servant leader. He watches out for my well being and leads us spiritually in daily devotions as a couple. He seeks to find ways to encourage me and bring out God's best in me. Quotes like, "That is a GREAT idea!" encourage me greatly. He can make me laugh and he can bring on the waterworks (good ones <3) with just a few words from his lips. He tells me I'm beautiful; he really means and believes it even when my hair hasn't been washed in days and I'm still in my mismatching pajamas in the afternoon. He breaks the stereotype of what a lot of people think of men to be, but he doesn't act all proud and snooty about being different. It's just who he is and he doesn't succumb to the stereotypes.
God has molded in him a heart to love others very deeply. He genuinely has a heart of love for people and you can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice that he isn't just offering lip service. At work he is pulled in many different directions and dimensions of ministry displaying his flexibility and ability to be in the moment with a person in their given situation of trial, praise, or question. He gives them his full attention. What a guy!
He works hard, and I mean really hard, and it is all done as a daily labor of love for His King (Colossians 3:23). He can squeeze so much productivity into a single hour it makes my head spin. I remember one night when we were both writing papers at the kitchen table (his for a Seminary Class, mine for a college counseling class) and he whipped out a 7 page paper in the time I had barely gotten 2 pages typed. He is a machine, yet his work is high quality. He works hard but still makes the time to stop me while I'm cleaning around the house to offer a hug of appreciation and gratitude for my labors of love at home. I am so grateful for the testimony he lives in all of these ways (and many others) because it keeps me focused on Christ, the Author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2)
He is also a fantabulous Dad! (yes, I just made that word up) From the moment I got the positive on the pregnancy test, he initiated nightly prayers for our child, something we have continued with devotions every night with Josiah before he goes to bed. Our house is right across the street from church, so Josiah eagerly awaits at the door as Daddy walks home from work, bouncing and yelling "Da" through the window. Nathan loves to engage him in many games of singing and dancing, chasing around the house and playing peak-a-boo, and the famous whisker rubs that really bring out the giggles and squeals!
He is living a wonderful example to Josiah of what it looks like to be a family man, a man who honors God first and foremost, a man who works hard with great integrity, and a man who also knows how to relax and be silly.
I love this man, I love him as my husband, my friend, and the father to our son. Happy Father's Day Nathan!
And do you know just what that look holds? It encompasses love, affection, loyalty, servant leadership, sacrifice, appreciation, patience, gentleness, and pure joy that he offers to the young woman God ordained that he should meet, court, and marry. It holds commitment, saying, "I love you no matter what, I promise." It holds a vow to God to love me as Christ loves the church and laid His life down for her.
I love this guy so much, my heart almost explodes when I stop to think of just how blessed I am that God brought us together. I do not even come close to deserving him.
This man loves so well. He sets a wonderful example for me of what it means to live a daily labor of love. Can I just boast in the Lord's work through this man for a moment?
Since we met, Nathan has been a humble servant leader. He watches out for my well being and leads us spiritually in daily devotions as a couple. He seeks to find ways to encourage me and bring out God's best in me. Quotes like, "That is a GREAT idea!" encourage me greatly. He can make me laugh and he can bring on the waterworks (good ones <3) with just a few words from his lips. He tells me I'm beautiful; he really means and believes it even when my hair hasn't been washed in days and I'm still in my mismatching pajamas in the afternoon. He breaks the stereotype of what a lot of people think of men to be, but he doesn't act all proud and snooty about being different. It's just who he is and he doesn't succumb to the stereotypes.
God has molded in him a heart to love others very deeply. He genuinely has a heart of love for people and you can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice that he isn't just offering lip service. At work he is pulled in many different directions and dimensions of ministry displaying his flexibility and ability to be in the moment with a person in their given situation of trial, praise, or question. He gives them his full attention. What a guy!
He works hard, and I mean really hard, and it is all done as a daily labor of love for His King (Colossians 3:23). He can squeeze so much productivity into a single hour it makes my head spin. I remember one night when we were both writing papers at the kitchen table (his for a Seminary Class, mine for a college counseling class) and he whipped out a 7 page paper in the time I had barely gotten 2 pages typed. He is a machine, yet his work is high quality. He works hard but still makes the time to stop me while I'm cleaning around the house to offer a hug of appreciation and gratitude for my labors of love at home. I am so grateful for the testimony he lives in all of these ways (and many others) because it keeps me focused on Christ, the Author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2)
He is also a fantabulous Dad! (yes, I just made that word up) From the moment I got the positive on the pregnancy test, he initiated nightly prayers for our child, something we have continued with devotions every night with Josiah before he goes to bed. Our house is right across the street from church, so Josiah eagerly awaits at the door as Daddy walks home from work, bouncing and yelling "Da" through the window. Nathan loves to engage him in many games of singing and dancing, chasing around the house and playing peak-a-boo, and the famous whisker rubs that really bring out the giggles and squeals!
He is living a wonderful example to Josiah of what it looks like to be a family man, a man who honors God first and foremost, a man who works hard with great integrity, and a man who also knows how to relax and be silly.
I love this man, I love him as my husband, my friend, and the father to our son. Happy Father's Day Nathan!
Whoohoo!! Love hearing how this man shows his labor of love! Thanks for posting such true words! :D
ReplyDelete- Naomi
Whoohoo!! Love hearing how this man shows his labor of love! Thanks for posting such true words! :D
ReplyDelete- Naomi