Just before dawn I woke up with a blazing sinus headache. With everything in me I wanted to crawl back into my bed and sleep the first half of my day away. Not being one to waste a good morning I decided that even with the pounding in my head I'd get up and face the day. As usual I began with a teacup full of my favorite tea and settled in for a bit of 'quiet time'. I've become very protective of the hour or so I spend alone. Whenever I'm forced to skip it invariably the hours in my day seem to spin out of control.
And so~ I began by reading a little devotional by Max Lucado that I've truly grown to love.
In "A Love Worth Giving" he says this:
In "A Love Worth Giving" he says this:
"Nathaniel Hawthorne came home heartbroken. He'd just been fired from his job in the Custom House. His wife, rather than responding with anxiety, surprised him with joy. "Now you can write your book!"
He wasn't so positive. "And what shall we live on while I'm writing it?"
To his amazement she opened up a drawer and revealed a wad of money she'd saved out of her housekeeping budget. "I always knew you were a man of genius," she told him. I always knew you'd write a masterpiece."
She believed in her husband. And because she did, he wrote. And because he wrote, every library in America has a copy of "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
You have the power to change someone's life simply by the words that you speak. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." "
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."
Proverbs 18:21 NKJV
~~*~~
Want to know what is honestly going on in my own heart and mind today?
I'm praying for courage and strength to continue supporting my Mr. AGPMan as he works towards earning his long overdue Computer Science degree. In what is already proving to be many, many hours spent away from home I'm finding I'm lonely for his presence. His mind is deep in classwork and outside studying and I miss him very much...
(Even I am amazed at how much I'm still in love with the husband of my youth...)
(Even I am amazed at how much I'm still in love with the husband of my youth...)
And so...this morning I prayed to be a blessing to the man I love instead of wallowing in my aloneness. I long to have a heart more in tune with Mrs. Hawthorne's and to lovingly place the desires of the one I love before my own.
Pray for me...
Will you?
Love to you this beautiful Sunday...
32 comments:
Dearest Rebecca,
That is a wonderful post and you are underlining the meaning of the word! Yes, the written word has a power all of its own...
Lots of love and hope you feel well by now!
Mariette
you are such a sweet soul!! and such a good supportive wife...wishing you a good day!
We become so protective of the ones we love. Daily, we hear about people whose lives are turned upside down due to disasters and without really consciously thinking, I think we get scared.
I must confess. I am scared right now. My husband is on his annual Memorial weekend campout with his military buddies and he texted me this morning that they are caught in a freak snowstorm. They are in Tehachapi CA. I haven't heard from him for awhile but he is with several other people and he said they would stay together.
It is very hard to have our loved ones away from us. But how sweet is it when they return! It is a reminder of just how much we do love and appreciate them.
Hugs, Sue
P.S. Oh dear Lord. How I know about those sinus headaches. I find that a moist warm washcloth on my forehead makes it feel better. I hope you are feeling better.
Rebecca, you are such a beautiful person inside and out, your always such a inspiration to me! You will be in my prayers!
Hugs~~~ Daphne
Sweet Rebecca, This Post Smacked Me Right Between My Ribcage. Well maybe Lower And To The Left A Bit..But I'm Sure You Get My Meaning. I Too Have A Real Need For My "Aloneness" And Solitude And Sometimes I May Push Away The One Soul God Gave Me To Walk This Earthly Path With. I'll Lift A Prayer For You If You'll Lift One For Me. :)) If Two Join Together And Ask Anything In His Name, It Shall Be Given Unto Them..Pressed Down And Shaken Together..Surely Our Beautiful Men Will Be Pleased..And You And I...Blessed Beyond Measure! Hugs To You This Glorious Sunday! P.S. My Followers Were Missing From Friday Until Today. Yay..Looks Like They've Returned.
Ah, Sweetie. It can be hard and my heart goes out to you. Prayers and hugs!
Oh Rebecca, You are such a dear and lovely woman, and you inspire me so much, every time I read one of your posts. You always touch my heart, and today, the sweet sentiments you have shared, of Nathaniel Hawthorne's wife, have made me "sigh", thinking about those words.
My prayers are with you to have the courage and strength to support, reassure and encourage your husband, and for you to be at peace when you are alone. You are such a blessing to him, because you have lovingly recognized your calling to love and care for him with all your heart and all of your soul always.
Love & Prayers Coming To You!
Oh Rebecca, Your blog touched my heart.The lord used you this morning.I didn't go to church this morning,but I had my short quick sermon from God through Rebecca.It was perfect.I too am still surprised by how much my husband and I still love eachother after all these years.
Oh Rebecca...your post is so beautiful...as is your photo!!
after reading this, I started thinking about my own husband, and the person that he is...my eyes filled with tears, and my heart felt like it was going to burst.
Thank you for this inspiring post.
Smooches.
Debbie
Aww how very Sweet all of what you wrote! Yes death and life is in the tongue! To encourage someone that they may have hope and grow or words to make someone feel they are a failure. One never knows when that seed of hope will sprout for someone! I would be missing my husband too! Hang tight thee oh beautiful one..xx
Aw, sweet Rebecca my heart aches for you. Sometimes I think it's harder to be away from the keeper of your heart the longer you are married. I am still amazed I have any "missing" in me left after over 20 years! LOL
Enjoy your solitude, grow in it and appreciate your hubby more when he is there.
Thinking of you this Sunday dear heart!
Love,
Roselle
Rebecca I am praying for you. Although I don't think it is in your being to do anything but to support Mr APG Man. It just is not in your makeup. You will get used to him not being there so much. I am married to a firefighter and he works 24 hrs on and 24 off so I see him a total of 4 hours per night 3 times a week. You will get used to it and I bet things will work out fine. Just keep busy and don't think about being without him, just think of it as a learning tool. Everything is for a reason. Praying for you both!!!
XOXO (((((Hugs))))))
Ginger
Oh Rebecca....I know your heart. You see, my husband was pastoring and finishing his doctorate. At the same time the church was building, by hand, a new building. My children were young. I was alone most of the time. Even when we were at church, I was sitting alone. It was so hard. But, he finished. And it is behind us! It will be for you both too. Hold on...joy comes in the morning!!
Dear, sweet Rebecca....your words touched me, too, today. I know how hard it is to be alone for long hours away from the husband you love. Mine is not going back to school, but working (at our age) again and is gone ten hours of the day, five days a week. I used to long for my "quiet time" and now I have more of it than I want. We are not young, so each precious moment he is away is a moment stolen from me...it is out of necessity he must do this, and I admire his courage to work again, and I try to back him all I can, but truth be known, I wish I could have him home every single day with me until the end...
I am sure in the long run you will be so happy that you are the loving, supportive wife that you are, and it is such a joy to know after so many years you can feel like the "young wife" you were, missing her soul-mate. So many couples have drifted far apart after as many years as you two have shared, and it does not really matter to them that the other is off on their own business.
You always inspire me, my dear friend, I feel God brought you into my life for the very purpose to keep me focused on what is right and good and meaningful, in-
stead of looking at all the wrongs that we suffer in our lives.
You are MY blessing!!
Love you, girl friend, Francy
Oh Rebecca... you would always stand by Mr. AGP no matter what, and he, you.... I know you miss him while he is away at school, but enjoy your quiet time too... I love my quiet solitude to sort out my thoughts and just dream... thank you for visiting me today... yes, your comment came through, and now, to Miss K... I miss you too! I am happy you are out of school and swimming sounds like alot of fun!... thank you for being my friend, and I can't wait to get my note in the mail from you... love you most!... xoxo Julie Marie
Dearest Rebecca, you are more like her than you know. You are very supportive of your guy, which is quite evident in your writings. I know that it is very lonely when his head is stuck in a book, but it will be worth it in the end when you watch him walk that stage and know that he did it! You've thought of it for a long time and now it is becomming a reality! Hang in there girl, hang in there. You are such a blessing to us all.
Dear sweet Rebecca,
I know this is a lonely time for you but remember it's just for a season and then it will pass. Take this time to spend more with the Other Love of your life, our Lord. He will comfort you and fill that loneliness with joy, my friend. And the time will fly by, because it always does, doesn't it?
Thank you for sharing your sweet post.
Love and hugs to you,
Sonya
Rebecca, you are so good to share how you are supporting your husband's studies, and yet how it is hard for you. Isn't that a perfect story about Hawthorne's wife saying "now you can write" and how she saved money to support them?
Praying. And he is one lucky man to have you.
I hope you headache is gone. Praying for a full recovery.
Rebecca,
I sure will pray. Remember that everything is for "but a season" and this time of loneliness will pass. Just continue loving, supporting, and praying for HIM. The prayers of a wife for her husband are very powerful.
Blessings & hugs,
Karen
will pray.....
What a beautiful post sweet Rebecca, Happy Memorial Day, Hugs and prayers sent your way! Marilou
I CAN pray for you and I WILL:) I enjoy my time in the mornings too!
It will all be a distant memory before you know it and you sweetheart will be finished and home with you!
Enjoy your Memorial Day my friend, BIG HUGS!
You know that I will pray for you, Becca, my sweet friend! I went through the same thing when my hubby went back to school at 50 to become a pastor. It is a lonely life sometimes. And, even more lonely when I find that focus is away from family and onto others that NEED..and are NEEDY...but, that being said, I AM proud of him. It was his heart's desire. I became productive in a different way because I went back to work to fill some of the hours...and that has taken on a life of its own.
You can do this! I know that you are a strong woman and you will find comfort in being supportive and "doing". Maybe you need something new in your own life that will quiet that sense of abandonment. (just don't go looking for male dancers);>)
Love you much and Happy Memorial Day- xxoo Diana
Hi Rebecca. How are you? I know I haven't been around for a while now but please know that I think of you and your blog often. I posted a little while ago about my father in law. You may remember he was in the last stage of Alzheimer's. I'm sad to say that he has passed on. :'( It's been very hard on us. What comforts us is that we know he is with our Heavenly Father.
I'll be back to blogging soon.
May God continue to bless you and your beautiful blog. You are such an inspiration.
Sandra
HI REBECCA... MY HUSBAND IS DISABLED SO I HAVE ALOT OF LONE TIME.... WE USE TO GO PLACES AND HE WOULD HELP MOW AND DO MY HONEY DO'S... IT HAS ALL CHANGED... I AM MOSTLY A LONER.... I GO BY MYSELF ALL THE TIME... I HAVE GOTTEN USE TO IT.. YES I WISH IT WAS LIKE IT USE TO BE.. BUT I THINK GOD I STILL HAVE HIM.. HE IS THE TYPE NOT TO TALK MUCH... SOMETIMES HE DOESN'T EVEN ANSWER ME.. SO I KEEP MYSELF VERY BUSY.. JUST TRY TO STAY BUSY AND JUST THINK OF THE TIME YOU WILL HAVE WITH YOUR HUBBY WHEN HE FINISHES HIS STUDIES.... YOU CAN DO IT.. NOT EASY BUT YOU CAN DO IT... THANKS AGAIN... YOUR BLOG HELPS ME SO MUCH... LOHOMA
Hi Rebecca, Ah-ha. Are you lonely or needy? You may not realize it but Mr. AGP is doing what is absolutely best for him and you. Also, this is a time for you to grow. Have you considered taking a class? You two have a great marriage, but it can be enriched when you both are engaged in your own interests and each grows in those areas. I'm saying this with tough love Ms Rebecca. You have to stay busy with your projects and he will appreciate it since being lonely and weepy will only add to his stress. With Diving guidance I'm sure you will figure it out. Blessings.
To Ann, I am a bit confused by your comment. I am trying to convince myself you meant well but I am not sure you accurately read the post.
My loving wife prayed to CONTINUE to support me in my venture. Trust me, she is extremely busy with her work and not needy. It is just we are so busy that we always spend our downtime together and now even that is encroached upon. She knows this will be good for both of us but believe me she wants me to do this for me. If it wasn't for her prodding I would have never gone down to the school and got enrolled to begin with. SHE is the reason it is even happening. She knows I wanted to do it and SHE gave me the courage and will to get going with it. Please understand that.
Thank you for your concern and may God bless you and yours.
Mr AGP
Dear Rebecca, I can fully understand what you and Mr.APGman are going through. When Reuben and I were a LOT younger he also did his Computer Science Degree while he worked and traveled full time. I know Mr. AGPman will come through with flying colors and so will you. Blessings always, Maureen.
Hello Mr AGP, sorry if I offended you or your darling wife. I meant well and since I am totally left brain, I don't always communicate accurately or loving esp after a full day at the office. This was my experience when I got my undergrad and graduate degree, any emotional leaning on me put me into orbit since the pressures of job and school were plenty. But that was my experience and not yours. I deeply apologize for my comments and wish you every success.
Ann, I so totally understand what you mean. I must say, I was pretty stressed the first week as they did not give my prof as much time as he wanted so we blew through 7 chapters in one night and we left the next morning for the ordeal with my father just getting back in time for the next class and had no time to study. My wifey had to leave me alone in my office for many nights after that to catch up but it is all good now! :-) Thank you so much for your concern and words of encouragement. I will need all I can get.
Thanks,
MrAGP
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