Another Thankful Thursday! On a Friday... -- The Dad Factor
Welcome to my third installment of Thankful Thursdays!
I know today is actually a Friday. As I learn and grow in these momming and blogging endeavors, I recognize that some days just don't go as planned. Yesterday was wonderful and excellent. And it did NOT go completely to plan. I'm coming to terms with choosing the good over the perfect, but as a recovering perfectionist, I could definitely still use your prayers and encouragement.
That being said, please allow me to introduce today's topic: the Dad Factor.
When I consider my day-to-day "list of thankfulness" -- what could also be called "counting your blessings" -- I consistently think about my husband.
I know, I know... You've heard all of this before. I tend to gush and talk about him quite a bit. Before you tune out, please allow me to say, I could not be a focused, intentional, healthy mom without my husband.
I know everyone is different and has a unique set of circumstances, so this statement is not meant as a judgment or a requirement upon anyone. I am simply sharing my personal thoughts and feelings. And I am ridiculously thankful for my husband. I've compiled a list of four primary reasons why I am grateful for him, especially as our relationship impacts my role as a mom.
1. I am thankful for the way he uses his head.
Now, I am a woman. And a mom. And a wife. As well as a daughter, a friend, a coworker, and a host of other things. I eat multitasking challenges for breakfast (when I remember to eat breakfast and not just drink WAY too much coffee). My head is often zipping back and forth between twelve different itineraries, task lists, and random subjects. For example, I recently found myself attempting to pump before work, eat breakfast, and successfully apply makeup simultaneously. Stuff gets CRAZY in this mama life! Can I get an "amen"?
One of the primary reasons why I am thankful for my sweet hubby is his logical, rational, one-task-at-a-time approach. When I am spiraling into a black hole of attention span overload, his focus and intentionality bring me back to real life. I cannot tell you how many times I have been freaking out until he calmed me down and reminded me that everything is going fine, our child is not actually dying of some random disease, and my mom card will not be forfeit if I let him do the dishes this time.
2. I am thankful for his gentle heart.
I count the moment when I first saw my husband holding our son as one of the top five moments in my life. His tenderness and joy at the beauty of our boy's tiny life completely flooded me with all the happy mom feels.
Since those early instances of fatherhood, my husband has continued to surprise and delight me. He feels his responsibility deeply as a dad, and he loves to enjoy all the little milestones we experience together. He expresses concern for our future as a family and asks me how I am doing, even when I lack the introspection to recognize that something is amiss. He makes our emotional health his concern, which helps me to respect him and care for his heart more intentionally.
3. I am thankful for the way he helps our family with his hands.
Every weekday, without fail, my husband heads off to work early in the morning. Before our son's birth, we agreed that schedules would need to adapt so I could still work part-time once my maternity leave ended. This decision required Kris to get up at a much earlier time.
Although this transition has been hard on both of us for a variety of reasons, I am proud of my husband for shouldering his new schedule in such an admirable way. And not only does he keep up challenging hours, but he also helps with chores at home after working a full day. I mean, how amazing is that?!? When I stay home and nurse during the week, even if I have to prepare for work, I am EXHAUSTED by the time I make it home at night after a shift. In my eyes, this guy is truly exceptional.
4. I am thankful for his hugs.
If you are familiar with the book, The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman, then you will recognize physical touch as one of the titular "languages." When Kris and I went through our premarital counseling, we learned about the concept of love languages and quickly ascertained that both of us are definitely big on physical touch. For me, I feel deeply encouraged and accepted when my husband does simple things like holding my hand or putting his arm around my shoulder while we watch a movie.
Hugs from Kris, though, are probably the most crucial part of my day, relationally speaking.
I can be dealing with a super duper crazy-pants situation, and one hug has the power to turn it all around. Feeling the warmth and comfort of an embrace from someone who intimately knows me totally transforms my mindset!
As I wrap up this post, I want to clarify two things.
First, our marriage is not perfect. We both mess up and make mistakes on a daily basis. We require forgiveness, grace, and truth from each other. Marrying a human being means that you will have to bear with them in challenging times as well as good times.
Secondly, we could never be a great team without the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. It is because of his life, death, and resurrection that we are made capable of loving one another consistently and sacrificially. I am thankful for the gift my husband is to me on a daily basis, but we are both fundamentally thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Once again, thank you for visiting Mama Smith Writes! I hope you have enjoyed this Thankful Thursday, and I would love to hear your stories about your spouse or significant other. What are some qualities you deeply appreciate and see in them? Do you have any stories of times they delighted you in the midst of your crazy parenting adventures together? Feel free to comment below or visit the Facebook page for Mama Smith Writes.
Soli Deo Gloria
- Mama Smith
Image by Chris Ristine.
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