The Gift of A Hard Working Man

We were leisurely licking popsicles on the deck when he came home. The sky was ablaze with streaks of beauty that mimicked the rainbow of colors teasing our happy tongues. We didn’t rise from our loungers, but turned to greet him with sun–flushed cheeks.

“Daddy’s home!” Hannah squealed.  Hair still dripping from our relaxing evening at the swimming pool, she scaled her Dad’s tall stature and nuzzled her chin on his shoulder.

“Looks like you’ve had a good day,” he commented as he surveyed our contented crew.

“Yeah,” Hannah murmured, “Thanks for working SO HARD so Mommy doesn’t have to!”

My husband glanced my way to gauge my response and laughed only when he spotted my eyes doing the same.

“Your Mommy works the hardest of all,” he countered.

Hannah glanced from me– clad in my swimsuit and stretched out on the lounger with sleeping baby on my chest– to her Dad in rumpled dress clothes at sunset–and quietly responded, “I think I want to be a MOMMY when I grow up!”

Contrary to my daughter’s childish impression, mommies DO work hard. We labor without overtime compensation or paid vacations. We punch the clock with the baby’s morning scream and check out only when the last little head rests on its pillow. We work sick days, holidays and weekends, day–shifts, night–shifts, and grave–yard shifts. But the happiest mommies I know are those who are esteemed by hard-working men.

On this day set aside for resting from our work, I celebrate the man whose labor of love allows me to engage in the unpaid delights of motherhood. Today, I celebrate the one who goes to work day after day (and often night after night) without complaint. He pays the mortgage, funds the grocery bill, and puts gas in our carpooling van. Today I celebrate the one who doesn’t have the luxury of beginning his day in pajamas and sipping coffee while he reads Green Eggs and Ham a dozen times. He doesn’t have the option to meet friends for lunch or picnic at a park on near–perfect summer’s day. He doesn’t get to soak in the Word while little ones nap and the house is peaceful and still. He’s not around to hear excited chatter at the end of the school day or to witness the first bike ride without training wheels. He goes to work when he is weary, discouraged and empty; on snow days, summer days and weekends.

 He is our sole provider and our soul inspirer.

Today I celebrate the man who works hard so I “don’t have to.” And I thank God for a gift I often take for granted, the lavish gift of a hard working husband.

Today’s Overflow:  “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” –Proverbs 16:3