Friday, June 16, 2017

Honey Roasted

“You smell delicious.” My husband snickered as he leaned over my shoulder. 

“Stop it!  I already wrote about you last week, besides you’re developing cat like tendencies.” I declared as I finished washing the dishes from the evening cat feeding.

“I can’t help it, you smell good. You could write a reprise and call it Aroma Revisited.” 

“No!” 

Little did he know that I had already cooked something up about him in this week’s post; but he didn’t quit and kept giving me more verbal ammunition.  You would have thought he knew better living with a writer! 

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I am so thankful for your visit and hope that you come back each week to participate in the weekly challenges.  Join us in our new series as we spend time in the study of Daily Favor Prayers. 

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The Great Stare Down 


Jazz on one of his thousand's of stares!
It was early evening when I sat down to actually compile my article.  Dinner was finished and the house was settling so I could get some work done.  Well that was the plan anyway. 

A few minutes later my husband came into the living room and sat on the couch leaning forward as if he didn’t plan on staying.  He was in a playful mood.  Right then I knew he was up to something. 

Hubby thought it would be funny to get in on the action. It was a stare down between him and Jazzbo our cat. (He named him that.)  Both of them were staring at me trying to break down my composure. 

There he goes again ...
No matter where I am in the house, Jazz stares at me.  Over the years I’ve taken on the staring contest with him, but he always wins.  What timing for my husband to reduce his status to alpha feline.   

The two of them were freaking me out; and then there was Quiggley kitten.  In the background Quiggs was belting out a high pitched squeal letting everyone know he’s in the potty.  Why?  I haven’t a clue.  He’s the only rescue that has ever done this - every time! 

He Was Right 

“You’re smiling, you must be writing something about me.  I can tell.” Hubby said as he watched me type. 

Pausing I sat back in my chair and waited expecting his next comment to be “can I sniff you” just to get me riled up while trying to write.   

“Before you get too involved can I ask you another question?” 

“What?” I said sternly. 

“Can I sniff you?” Laughing he got up and went into the kitchen. 

“Oh, forget it.” I said as Jazz danced across the keyboard. 

A few minutes later I got up to make a cup of Swiss Mocha coffee.  I'm normally a tea girl, but not that night!

Now hubby was sitting at the kitchen table reading the mail, when he began talking to Victory (the rescue cat that was shot) who entered the room. 

“Vic, come over here.  That’s hot water; I should know, I’m in it enough.”   

… and he wonders why he gets in trouble.  Why did I ever write that post?  I set myself up for this … I should have realized that knowing my husband’s personality and humor. 

He was right though … I was writing about him.  

How Many Doors Are There? 

It all started on Saturday when my compassion lacked a few levels of humility.  He was having an off day and things just weren’t going right for him.  

I know the Bible teaches a lot on doors, but I don’t think this is what the Holy Spirit had in mind when He inspired the writers. 

Enter Door #1 

The afternoon was wearing on and it was time for the nightly feeding of the animals.  I prepare the food in one room and then distribute it on trays, bowls or plates depending on the individual need of the animal.  We feed them in three different areas, so it takes a while to get through the routine. 

I had already delivered a tray to one place when I realized Jazz wasn’t eating.  Jazz lives with a disorder that affects his eating habits and we often have to switch foods in mid-stream. This meant he needed something else, so I called out for my husband to bring me a specific can of food.   

Not being able to slide it through the tray slot, he had to open the door slightly to pass the can to me.  Using my leg to block the cats from getting out, I snagged the can and pulled the door back quickly pinching his fingers as it shut. 

Using his baritone voice he let me know what happened. I felt bad and apologized umpteen times.   

 … Approaching Door #2 

Returning to the feeding center he banged his elbow on the pantry door he left open when he retrieved the can of cat food.  From a distance I could hear the sound of a tenor vocalizing the pain that shot through hubby’s arm. 

… Shall We Go for Door #3 

I was still in the back room when he came around the corner to use the restroom.  As he entered he hit his head and nose on the edge of the door. 

Watching it happen I couldn’t help but laugh.  I know … what a compassionate wife, right?  I wasn’t laughing because he was hurt or anything, but seriously, how could that even happen I thought?   

There was no shame … his yelping cry switched to a female high soprano.  Holding his head the only thing he had to say was, “How many doors are there?”

A Glimmer of Hope 

There were still a few hours of daylight so I decided to bake a gluten free cake and cupcakes for my husband to brighten his spirit.  You thought the same thing he did … he loves his gluten! 

I had just taken the last batch out of the toaster oven when we lost the electric.  With no dinner made we improvised and ate cake … of course! 

With everyone fed we were back in our own living room … where he first started out on the sofa.  Hubby was finally relaxing nicely and away from all the doors.  It was so calming watching the glimmer of the flameless candles … (I didn’t say it was romantic, just in the moment.) 

There wasn’t anything else to do, and not having the electric I couldn’t continue working on the computer.  I decided to join my husband on the couch to rest until the electric problem was fixed.
 
With my eyes closed I could hear the storm gaining ground as it came closer to our street.  Hubby was gently stroking one of the cats he was holding on his lap, when a big clap of thunder resounded causing her to jump three feet in the air.  It spooked her and in the landing she plunged her nails deep into his chest and thumb.  

Sitting up with a jolt I asked him what happened.  As he shared his plight I tried to hold back my laughter, but once again couldn’t.  What’s wrong with me? 

Holding up his boo-boo for me to see, as he gripped his thumb tightly I said to myself, “Ooo, that’s gotta hurt.”  I really did have compassion for him this time, but thought back on the rest of the things that happened to him that day.   

Was he overtired or something that would cause his steady pace to be a little off balance?  You have to admit, it was a bit strange.  If he’s said this once, he’s said it a zillion times … 

“I was just sitting here. I wasn’t waiting to get injured.” 

Disturbing the Peace 

It would be several hours before we had electric and it was far past bedtime.  Entering the bedroom he glanced over at the dresser and saw the radio clock flashing.  The alarm clock is his and I have no idea how to set it, so he naturally went about the task. 

After setting the time he thought he had everything else back to the proper mode; that was until a few minutes later when the alarm sounded.  By now he was tired and frustrated.  Not being able to figure out how to get it off the “nap” setting he set the clock for fifteen minutes.  

That radio came close to going out the window.  It would take almost an hour before everything stopped buzzing, flashing or beeping. 

Finally getting the alarm off I handed my husband a barrette to put in a container on the dresser.  Not knowing how it should be positioned he asked, “Like this?” 

Not being able to see what he was doing since he was standing in front of the container I replied, “I don’t know, I can’t see through you.” 

I guess that wasn’t the best thing to say even in jest at that time, because I sensed it disturbed him a tad (an understatement I’m sure).  With a raised brow he looked at me and held up his hand.  In a sarcastic tone he answered, “Peace, Shalom to you too!” before walking out of the room. 

What a day for hubby … and for those who had to witness it. 

Non-Traditional Favor 

When I first set out to gift my honey, “roasting” him was to serve as the main dish for Father’s Day knowing the kick he would get out if it.  Plus it’s an opportunity to let others know what a good sport he is, especially since I’m usually the one being roasted by him. 

Not having children my husband and I celebrate the holiday’s that revolve around parenting somewhat differently than most. It’s true that throughout the Word traditionally we read how couples were given favor of having an open womb to bear children for the glory of God after spending time in prayer.  However, not everyone has that prayer answered and in those cases non-traditional favor is warranted to those who love and faithfully serve the Lord. 

On those “special” designated holidays, my husband and I laugh, have fun and enjoy the fact that God grants favor in different ways to couples who haven’t been blessed with kids.   

It may be hard to fathom how couples without children can live a full life in the Lord, but they can.  Just as parents have their quiver’s full, we are blessed in the fullness of other promises from God with some referring to us as the Isaiah 54 bunch.

 

If you happen to be among those who are without child(ren), be not dismayed … God has a place of favor set aside just for you.   

This Week’s Challenge:
Give Honor & Favor to Godly Men 

Even though much of America will be celebrating Father’s Day this weekend, we don’t want to overlook the blessing of having godly men in our lives no matter where we live. 

Our challenge this week is to give favor and honor to all Christian men who have influenced the young, regardless of whether or not they have fathered a child.  We’ll do that by participating in these four things. 

1 – Pray.  The number one thing anyone can do for their family is to pray over the male members in the household.  Begin praying for your sons, nephews and cousins while they are children because one day they will be leaders in their families.  

Ask the Lord to guide them in all wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  Pray that the grace of God will direct and keep them from sin as they serve Him and their family. 

2 – Encourage through Support.  Any man will tell you that something they desire from their spouse is to be supported through encouraging words. 

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such
as is good for building up, as fits the occasion,
that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29) 

If you aren’t in the habit of praising your husband for the good works he has done for God, your family and others, start doing it now.   

God honors those behaviors with His favor, and your family benefits from his actions. 

“He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, but trouble will come to
him who seeks evil.” (Proverbs 11:27 NKJV) 

“A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked
intentions He will condemn.” (Proverbs 12:2 NKJV) 

3 – Be Good to Him.  It’s easy to get along when you agree with your loved ones, but what about the times when you don’t?  Be good to him anyway showing loving kindness and favor as Christ has shown you. 

“An excellent wife who can find?  
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.”
(Proverbs 31:10–12 NKJV) 

4 – Go ahead and make that special roast (or meal) for your "honey", but this time use meat!  (Not like the roasting I did here.)

I’d like to close the door gently on this “chapter” in our life.  My husband may not be a parent, but in a godly manner he has mentored both men and boys who have become fathers.  For that I thank God, and with love and due honor give him high esteem and favor. 

 “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands;
for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.

 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;; bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor
and high esteem in the sight of God and man."
(Proverbs 3:1-3 NKJV) 

Note: To the Readers of This Blog: 
This is “Hubby”, and I approve this message. J
 
 
Godly Men by Scott Wesley Brown 

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Until next time, show favor to the godly men in your life.

“A man who seeks Me will find favor.”
Jesus Christ 

*Unless noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy. 

Note: Emphasis is given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding and is not to take away from the inspirited Word of God. 

When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives. 

Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness. 

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