Status Flow

When Daddy gets up first thing in the morning, he slaps some water on his face then heads straight to the Keurig coffee maker. Gets the java ready, then shuffles down the driveway to pick up the newspaper. After picking up his coffee, he's slumped into his cushy chair, feet propped up on the ottoman while he reads the paper, then checks his work emails. Then a shave and shower. It's the same thing every single day. I know the man has to have his coffee and paper to start the day. Mornings aren't my favorite part of the day, but my routine isn't quite as ridged. I make the bed, open the blinds, do my devotional, get breakfast, put on the make up, put in the contacts ... but not necessarily in that order. You can approach me and I won't bite your head off. I never need coffee to start my day (seriously ... can you see adding caffeine to this body?). Daddy and I have been married nearly 28 years, so we pretty well know how the morning goes. The point is to be understanding of how your future spouse is in the mornings ... or the evenings for that matter.

For Tone he's up at the alarm and makes his way to the couch to check his phone. Then it's a shave, shower, maybe a coffee, maybe breakfast, maybe make a lunch. I know Kayla has to have her morning coffee as does Ayla.

It's interesting when looking at all the different humans and their behaviors to note that God created us in His image. Does God need coffee to start His day? Does He go to computer central to get updates on the 7 billion people of the world? Does He head to the throne room to listen to the zillions of prayers beseeching Him. Does He change from the pajama robe to a more sparkly royal robe? Now, of course, these are all said tongue in cheek. God never sleeps, so he really doesn't need anything to get His day going. And He's omniscient, so there's no hard drive to catalog the world population's issues. But we know He created us uniquely, with all are quirks and goofiness and talents. Scripture tells us in Psalm 139:14, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." And what are we made for? To give God glory in all we do. Some of us just take a little longer to do that in the morning.

We hope you will be accommodating towards one another when getting used to each other's morning and/or evening routine. Know that although you love each other dearly, you are unique and each may require your own space and regimen. That is just being understanding and supportive of each other. At the same time, know that you will be getting to know each other more fully when you're married, so be gracious in responding to your spouse when they may not have as yet figured out your habits. You'll figure it out ... and it will work synchronously like a treble and base clef, so you can make beautiful music together. (Yeah, that was cheeky, but true!)

Discussion: What are things you have to do in the morning to start your day? What are things you have to do to end your day?

In God's Image

When your Daddy helped write a book on former Packers Coach Mike Holmgren titled "Heir To A Legacy," he was given an opportunity to have a book signing in Green Bay. People would purchase the book then bring it to him to autograph. Your Daddy wanted to follow in the footsteps of the late defensive end, Hall of Famer Reggie White, and autograph with a Bible verse. I was pretty sure he would put his favorite, which at the time was Psalm 118:24: "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." But instead he did something pretty sneaky. He did Proverbs 5:19. His comment was, "I would just love to see people's faces when they read it."

The verse says: "A loving doe, a graceful dear, delight in your wife's breasts always; may you ever be intoxicated with her love." Brad said he wanted the men who got this football book signed by him to be reminded to love their wives. We chuckle at his signing, but I think if he had the opportunity to do it again, he would sign books the same way.

On a recent episode of Project Runway All Stars, a contestant was commenting on another designer's unconventional dress made of yellow construction caution tape, saying that she hoped it wouldn't fall apart on the runway.  "A naked woman is never a good look," she said, to which your Daddy promptly responded, "That last comment is wrong" and then he giggled and added, "You always look good that way."

I have never had any doubt about how your father felt about me. He has made sure to adhere to Proverbs 5:19 thoroughly and always makes me feel like I'm beautiful. This morning when I commented that I didn't think I would be running into any humans during the day and could probably go without make up, he said, "A No Make-Up Thursday! Do it! You were made in God's image." He is precious like that.

Now some women might take offense at your Daddy's overt comments on my physical appearance, but honestly, it makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. And in a culture that does all it can to get you to compare yourself to the airbrushed, size 0 supermodels of the world, those comments are encouraging and edifying. And if he thinks I'm beautiful, that's enough for me.

When I was a little girl, my Dad told me all the time that I was beautiful. When I looked in the mirror, I saw an awkward, nerdy adolescent (and I've seen the pictures, so there's proof I truly was). But thankfully, I had a Daddy who made sure I knew what he saw was beautiful. And my precious husband has done likewise. I have been blessed to have had the two most important men in my life repeatedly tell me something that the Father feels about each and every one of us. We are beautiful. He delights in us.

You both are fortunate in that the Lord has made you physically gorgeous, so complimenting each other on that should flow pretty naturally and often, we would imagine. But what is more precious, is that you are both just as beautiful inside. I'm not talking about your bones or organs, but the beauty my father saw in me. Sweetness, love, caring, joy, a passion for Christ ... those are beautiful attributes. You have a glow that we hope never fades. And we pray you continually will compliment and edify one another throughout your relationship.

As for Proverbs 5:19 and the rest ... save it for the honeymoon. :)

Discussion: What are beautiful attributes to you? Tell what you find beautiful in each other. Do you make sure that your betrothed feels beautiful, even when they may not feel it?

Prayer: Lord you have made us in your image. And You are so amazing, that we can only hope to live up to that comparison, so that people see You in us. Father, help us to remember to compliment, encourage, uplift and edify one another. In Jesus name, Amen.