A husband just like that

I'm so blessed! I was thinking about it today and realized, I have a husband who's just like my Daddy. I never dreamed I'd get one, you see, the first two husbands were completely the opposite. I guess that's why those marriages didn't work out, among other reasons. If I'd known what to look for in a mate to begin with, I'd probably have picked a good one, but I was young and hadn't a clue. Thankfully, after a couple of bad apples, I've got the solid gold one. 

My Daddy was a hard worker. Most of my childhood he worked two jobs. And they weren't easy jobs, they were very physically demanding jobs. He'd be so exhausted when he came home from work that he'd collapse in his favorite chair and sit there trying to unwind before time to go to bed and do it all again the next day. 

He never was concerned with material possessions for himself but wanted to provide whatever his family needed. That meant he often went with holes in his shoes or socks because he'd wear them out until my mother would coax him into letting her get him another pair. He was so giving. 

My husband is the same way. He never asks for anything materially, but if I want or need something, he'll do whatever it takes to give it to me. Sometimes I even have to tell him no because I don't ever want to be one of "those wives" who constantly take. 

Many men are exactly the opposite. They put their needs ahead of their mates. Instead of loving, honoring, and cherishing them like the Bible tells them to do, they push their wives to the side. Those are the kind of guys I first married. 

Sometimes I sit and watch my husband with more admiration that he could ever understand in my eyes. What I see is a man who loves the Lord with all His heart, a man who dotes on his wife and give her unconditional love all the time. 

Every once in a while I wonder how I got so lucky. He's definitely a rare find and a precious gem to me. 

I wish I'd know what to look for in a husband all those years  ago. My life would have been vastly different than it is now. I'm glad my Daddy was a man of integrity and valor. His quiet strength will always speak volumes to me. And I wish I'd encouraged my daughters to find a man like that, but I didn't realize how valuable a gift it was until recently. If I'd thought about it, I'd have talked to them long and hard about the qualities a good man should have but they're all married now. I pray their mates are as good to them as mine is because I want each of them to have a husband like that.