Four apartments. Three homes. Five pregnancies. Two adoptions. Three cats. Two dogs.

It doesn’t add up to 16 years. And if I think too hard about some of the things we’ve walked through while admitting that we’re still at the beginning of this gig, I have to direct myself back to the last several posts on fear and practice my “aim and fire” strategy all over again.

The kids are in bed and the man is driving out to pick up pizza for our anniversary dinner date night, and I have just a few minutes to write, to sneak this in before he gets back.

And I sit here, and my words are so inadequate.

I can only breathe Thank You for this man who loves me, who takes care of me, who puts up with all sorts of nonsense and shenanigans (Shannon-igans?) and still manages to convince me that he really thinks he’s the one who totally lucked out.

(And yes, he does all his own stunts, just like his shirt says)

So, Thank You. Why would You do this for me? Beyond all I can ask for and imagine, I never deserved this.

And He says, I know. It’s not about what you deserve. It’s about what you need, and who you needed.

I chose him to be the one to show you My hands and feet. I chose him to be the one to walk you through healing and growth and adventure. I chose him to be your partner in the joy and the mess, in the clean up operation, in the mission, in the ministry, in everything I’ve called you to.

Haven’t you noticed, Love? I rarely give you what you deserve. That’s what grace is.

*This is day fifteen of the Wait and Listen series. The other posts are here.