Let Me Tell You About My Todd

Let me tell you about my Todd.

I’ve had the privilege of calling this man my husband for 20 years.

I’ve watched him morph into uprightness, right before my eyes.

Don’t get me wrong, there has always been good and beauty in this man of mine. I’ve learned from him since day one.

Over the years, pain and struggle have entered our world and has softened and humbled him. He has chosen to see the beauty in the struggle and it has made him beautiful.

In my struggle with cancer and mental illness, he has come alongside.  Not perfect, but persistent and ever-present, accepting what is and allowing me to heal and grow.

Right now he is in a season of hard work and problem-solving. He is working harder than I’ve known him to and that says a lot, for my guy has always given 100%.

Here is what I’ve noticed:

He’s working harder than ever at this problem solving, yet comes home with enough in him to solve our family’s everyday problems.

 

I witness this and I know where the goodness, gentleness, humbleness, and persistence comes from. I know his help is from the Lord.

He comes home long after dinner in this season and doesn’t miss a beat. Teenage girls go straight to their Dad with their everyday problems.

Problems that feel anything but every day to them, because everything is big when you are a teen and really, it is. He welcomes them and their words and struggle. They know they can always go to their dad.

I listen to father and daughter’s voices drifting up from our downstairs. Our daughter shares what is on her heart, hard decisions she needs to make, her voice young and shrill and a bit frantic.

His voice? It is the voice I fell in love with 20+ years ago, deep and gentle and calm. He is right where he shines, in problem-solving mode. He problem solves by listening, truly hearing, and possessing the wisdom to know what to say, when to say it and how.

He weighs the future and gives insight into moving forward with the best goals in mind. He does all of this without forcing, controlling or manipulating. He helps her sort out thoughts and come to her own conclusions.

His calm words of wisdom and acceptance calm her and I notice her voice gets quieter. After about 1/2 hour of processing with her Dad, her tears turn to laughter.

She has experienced the love of her Father through words of her father, given to him by his Father.

All is right in her world again.