The Old Penguin on an Ordinary Day

Me: So why do you think Daddy is special?
Liz: He is kind and nice.
Me: Really Liz. That's your answer?
Liz: (laugh) (long pause) He is very wise and funny?
Me: And how is Daddy wise?
Thias: He is like that old penguin on Mario Brothers.  You know... the one with the long beard.
All: (laugh)
Me: Oookaaaay.....
Liz: He helps us to know what we should and shouldn't do and he is very funny.
Me: Luke?
Luke: (long sigh... rolls eyes)

So my planned interview with the kids didn't reap what I was hoping for.  I was hoping I would get some wonderful 'sound bite' that would make Ray tear up and say "Awwww". But alas... he is like the old penguin on Mario.

I have found something I didn't anticipate by writing this blog.  I find myself searching throughout the day of what I am going to blog about today.  That means I am constantly thinking about "What I love about Ray."

I think that married couples stop looking for reasons as to why they love their spouse.  It's only normal. You get into a routine. You've got kids that need your attention most of the waking day. You go from one thing to another. Then add work and the duties that you have for your job.  Of course, I think many married couples have the mutual understanding that "he knows I love him" and "she knows I love her". "Look at everything I do for my spouse- that says I love them." But by doing this blog I have had to consciously think everyday and really look at "what I love about Ray". 

There is never any time that I don't love him, but there are many times that nothing spectacular or special happens during the day that make me go "WOW- THIS IS WHY I MARRIED THIS GUY!"  We live our life together, in all of the ordinary, everyday routines.  Sometimes nice things happen, but that isn't everyday. Most days are just normal.  And that's ok. 

I have come to learn that commitment is a daily choice.  How many times do we see people choosing to stop their commitment to their spouse? I'd say it's everywhere- all the time.  People don't want to sacrifice or feel uncomfortable so they quit. People want to always ride that "feel good & euphoric high" and when they don't, they think something "must be wrong".  And this not only happens with marriage, they quit whatever makes them uncomfortable or makes them feel uninspired.

Everything has a season. Every person has seasons in their own life journey.  Every marriage has seasons.

Because I believe that my marriage has been blessed by God, I know that my marriage will withstand all of the storms and "ordinariness" that life has to offer.  I also know that on some days we will stand at the top of the mountain and other days we will wallow in the pit... but most days we will spend as just plain ordinary days. 

By stopping to think about "What I love about Ray" every day, in some small way I think I am cooperating more in line with God's grace. In essence, it is a daily way to say thank you to God for this wonderful gift, this man that He has put into my life and the lives of our children. By looking at the ordinary days through God's eyes, it makes them not so ordinary, but very blessed.