Husbands

Today I went to a sale at our local grocery store. It is an annual event in which there are good deals on some staples and lots of junk. Things like cases of toilet tissue, zipper freezer bags, shampoo, and the thing I stock up on most, canned veggies that run 30-60% off (I look for 60%)

I got there first thing in the morning and in front of me in line as we waited our turn to get to the sale items, was a lady many years my senior. We chatted about our families and the sale and just enjoyed the encounter with eachother.

During the discussion it came up that her husband was disabled. He was restricted to a walker and a wheelchair. She pointed out a woman in front of us who was there with her husband. She comment about how she seemed so short tempered and angry with him. He was running to and fro picking up huge bags of dog food and other heavy items. The woman in front of me commented that she should be grateful that her husband could do these things for her, a touch of sadness in her voice. She mentioned that often her items waited in the van until someone could help her get them into the house.

I think of my own father who for so many years could not do much for himself. He had a nurse come in and bath him. He needed help moving from his wheel chair to his bed. He learned not to become embarrased when we would go out to eat and I would have to cut his meat like a child. This was not for lack of effort, he tried so many times to do what his body would not let him. He tried one day to drive his van, but his foot slipped and the front bumper of his van had a dent to show it(after he died I bought the van from my mother and cherish that dent). He tried to vacuum, but the cords got tangled around his wheelchair and himself, until he had to call for help. He wanted to be a man, to care for and do things for his beloved wife, but his body would not let him.

When I returned home, my dearest unloaded the heavy items for me, which he usually does. But today, I am reminded to be especially grateful to him for being the husband I need. Thank you Father, for your gift of marriage, and for knowing who I needed in my life. Let me be an encourager to him and not an angry, whiney nag who forgets there is no promise he will be here tomorrow.