Special Guest Blogger - My Wife

And now, a word from Kelly:

It's not too often that the opportunity to share with the church family can include a story with men in pink boxer shorts carrying heavy suitcases...

Thursday came too quickly. I'd put in what's becoming my two customary long workdays at Sonshine, trying to keep my customers on track for their Christmas gifts, neglecting my own packing for my 1 week stint as Grandma Onion in Vermont. So, Thursday morning, as I'm mapping out my timeline (pack for wintertime/what gifts to take/flight out of BWI/calculate traffic/parking off site in Deleware!!), John questions my ability to catch a flight on time by way of saying "do you think you've left enough time?" Argh!

Why do the little things set us off so easily? I'd already been aggravated that a closet holding the luggage hadn't been fixed in over 2 months, making it impossible for me to burrow in deep enough to pull out the BIG suitcase. It seems so petty now, writing about it... John wrangled with the "fallen" closet contents, emerged into the bedroom with the bag. Hmmm, I didn't remember the BIG bag being a folding garment bag. Drat! Maybe I'd have to take two bags to fit all the heavy winter clothes along with the baby gifts others had showered upon Sami. I decided I couldn't risk 2 bags though, as Ruth may have the stroller in the trunk leaving no room for the second bag. Enter second disagreement...John telling me there'd be room, me saying "no". Argh!

So what is any Christian husband to do with a hurried, harried, frustrated wife who feels she's being treated like a dummy? (note: "feels" - ah, emotions...how they rise and fall so easily). "Let's pray." "Argh!" was my inward response once again. After a brief blessing from John, I grabbed up my computer bag and purse, headed for the front door, looked at my husband, still in his boxers and tee shirt and said "I guess you're not going to help me with the BIG bag." What a lovely Christian attitude.

I walked to the car, packed my first load in, thinking, well, at least the car will have a chance to warm up. I popped back out of the car to get the BIG bag. There he was...standing at the edge of the driveway in pink boxer shorts, a tee shirt, dress socks and shoes, holding the BIG bag.

I cracked up!

Is this not the picture of Christ? OK, so you never thought of Him (or Pastor John for that matter) in underwear. But...this is the picture of a husband laying down his life for his wife, even if the wife has a rotten attitude! Ah, Christ, our Lord, laying down His life for us ungrateful sinners. Yet He breaks through...His blood washes us clean, His love covers a multitude of sins.

Can I encourage you, in the Spirit of Christ and His love, to buy your hubby a pair of American Eagle pink boxer shorts and tell him that you love him? Tell him how much you appreciate him laying down his life for you. Be specific about the things you're thankful for. (Thanks John, I love you!)

Blessings to all...more Christmas gift ideas to come...Kelly,