The Gift of Chester

As some of you know, today was Chad's birthday.  The greatest thing about Chad's birthday, for me, is not the excuse to eat junk food and sweets, or the buying gifts and spoiling him, but the mere fact that he is always older than me.  Completely selfish, I know, but it's comforting to know that no matter how old I turn each time April 19th rolls around on the calendar, Chad is always 315 days older.  It's just some justice for his lack of grey hairs, no wrinkles, his adorable baby-face and his ability to drop 10 pounds in 2 weeks.  

I want the world to know that I am thankful for the gift of my (slightly older than me) husband.  I love my husband and I am proud of him.  It takes strength of character, integrity and humility to do what he's doing and in the way he's doing it.  I'm proud of Him and I respect Him. 


So, I stole his idea.  He did this for me on my last birthday (how high he needed to count for me for that birthday is irrelevant) so I thought I'd do it for him too.  Since he is 31 today, here's the top 31 things things I love about my Chester:

1. He loves his Savior
2. He loves Malachi 
3. He loves Silas
4. He loves me
5. He loves Chinese
6. He gets me
7. He's gifted
8. He's humble
9. He's gentle
10. He's funny
11. He's sweet
12. He's sincere
13. He speaks sarcasm
14. He loves people
15. He's a good friend
16. He desires to learn
17. He knows he doesn't have all the answers
18. He respects those older than him
19. He values those younger than him
20. He desires to continue learning
21. He's cheap (he prefers "frugal") :)
22. He watches football with me
23. He loves the Colts
24. He's a gifted communicator
25. He calls me his Baby Girl
26. He spoils me
27. He defends and protects our children and me
28. He would lay down his life for our children
29. He loves hot summer nights just as much as I do
30. He chose me
31. He chooses to follow his call

This list just scratches the surface - and I look forward to many more birthdays together.  I am so thankful for the life God has called me to live - even if there are rough days.  

So here is my challenge to you ladies out there: love the men in your life.  Respect them and show them you respect them.  Whether you're married or single - love your husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, cousins, friends...you get the idea.  Mark Twain said, "I can live for 2 months on a good compliment"; so I challenge you right now to speak life into your men again and give them an honest and sincere compliment.  It might be awkward and weird at first...but it could make all the difference.  


"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:9-10