Phrases which help you avoid asking for forgiveness

[HT: Language Log]

Love in the Time of Prostrate Cancer

Don't let Valentine's Day pass without reading the NYT blogpost, "Love in the Time of Prostrate Cancer." It is testimony to the truth that all marriages display the glory of God's covenant-faithfulness and love for his Bride.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

One Wedding and a Funeral: Family Update

My wife has reflected on two recent moments in our family lives: our third wedding anniversary and the death of our cat, Gloria.

My thoughts (in order of importance).

Gloria was a great cat. She was very pretty and sweet and peaceful, contributing a wonderful presence in our home. When ever I was home alone, she'd sleep in the bed. When I stayed up all night writing a paper, Gloria was just as exhausted as I was the next day, having sat next to me through every paragraph. If I read in a certain chair she'd sit on my lap. She was our first pet and I'll remember her for a long time -- especially since I'll be finding her long hair in my books for decades.

Maggie is a great wife. She is very pretty and sweet and peaceful, contributing a wonderful presence to our home.... wait a minute?

Seriously, I love my wife and am so thankful for her. She is the Lord's greatest earthly gift to me. We watched our wedding on home video last night for the first time since only a few weeks after our marriage began. I was so encouraged and thankful as I listened to the vows we exchanged. She has kept every one, which is no easy task when you're married to a sinner like me. Her faithfulness and loveliness is not dependent on my actions. I have no worries about our marriage, because her near-perfect love for me has cast out all my fear. In this, she daily exhibits to me the powerful, sanctifying love of God my Father.

Thank you, baby. May I love you so well.

Valentine's Day

It will be Valentine's Day in twenty-two minutes, a day to celebrate the Lord's goodness in providing some of his children wives.

All (three) of you who might read this know my wife, Maggie. She is wonderful in every way: beautiful, funny, intelligent, sweet, thoughtful, compassionate, kind-hearted, diligent, patient, godly, self-controlled, a good listener, a good talker, faithful... in a word, lovely. Often, on these sorts of occasions, I (like others) read over Proverbs 31. Two things jumped out at me this time.

1. "The heart of her husband trusts in her." (31:11) I am at peace when my wife is near me. Sometimes husbands can be characterized as helpless. I'll be the first to admit that, without her, that's often how I feel. Why, though? Because we trust our wives more than anyone else. My wife cares for me with the utmost detail, serving me day-in and day-out without thought to herself. There's never a taste of bitterness in her service, only love and patience. That kind of wife encourages trust. My heart trusts in her.

2. "Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land." (31:23) I am noteworthy because of Maggie's excellence as a wife and woman. I imagine many conversations at church and elsewhere go something like this: "Who's Dave Ainsworth?" "You know, he's Maggie's husband." "Oh yeah?.. I love her!" People notice how great Maggie is and, in God's mercy, they notice me by association. The epitome of service and submission, her excellence redounds to my glory. May I be so humble.

This post is my small, feeble attempt to be faithful and honest and, after over 2 1/2 years of faithfulness, ensure that "her works praise her in the gates." (31:31)