It’s my day off.

That is, from my current, part-time, wage-earning, employment outside the home.

Despite that, this morning when I awoke, I had on my mind my usual routine. I have a very long To-Do List.

In 4 days, Lord willing, I’m flying to Virginia! It is with anxious & enthusiastic anticipation I look forward to seeing my dearly beloved son Jacob, my wonderful mom and cherished friends. It’s been a long time.

Also on my mind is our upcoming return to the American Discovery Trail. Lord willing, we plan to resume our walk in July. I still have so much to do, to prepare. So, today, in addition to work at home, I have quite a few errands to run; and I told my husband I look forward to getting a haircut.

JC walked into the kitchen, this morning, where I was cooking our breakfast and packing his lunch. He asked, “How much is your haircut?” He wanted to know how much it will cost. I confess, I immediately reacted defensively. In my mind, I responded, “For every 3 of his haircuts, I get one! I almost never go to a salon, and, yet, he’s questioning how much it’s going to cost.” I didn’t say it out-loud. Instead, I answered truthfully, “I don’t know. I don’t remember.” I was thinking it’s probably about $15, along with a tip.

Then, my husband held out his hand to me. Between his fingers, he held a folded, twenty dollar bill. He was offering to me his cash to pay for my haircut. In a mutually agreed upon effort to avoid careless spending, neither of us carries much cash. But, recently, JC’s been selling some of his possessions, including his kayak, in order to save up for something he very much wants. So, for him to have $20, and give it to me to pay for my haircut (which I enjoy like a treat), was not only generous, but also an act of self-denial.

About 20 minutes later, at the door of his workplace, we stepped out of our van. We share a vehicle, and I needed the van for the day. Like so many mornings before, JC & I kissed goodbye. Like most days, I was laughing at something he had said, and I had my arms around his neck while we lingered over a public-appropriate smooch. I kicked back my right foot, feeling especially amorous.

As JC turned to the door, and I stepped into the van, I was startled by sudden, loud, machinery noise. I looked up, remembering the 2nd floor construction that’s been underway. I saw a new window opening they had cut out of the building, and I could see a man working.

As I drove away, I realized there are a lot of men around, where JC works. It occurred to me they have probably witnessed some of our morning interactions.

What have they seen?

I laughed out-loud, imagining the sight of JC & me, acting like kids but obviously middle-aged with our gray hair and thickening waistlines. Our youth is far behind us, in the past; but, thanks to our Redeemer, we are young at heart.

What do men think when they catch a woman in the act of showing adoration for her husband? I cracked up, imagining one might be thinking, “That guy must be a real man.”

(Which, he is.) If asked, I would answer, “He’s very loving.”

And, I’d go on to describe the most admirable quality my husband possesses: JC loves God and serves His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, with his life. He has recently begun to frequently confess to me his sins; and, when he treats me unkindly, he soon comes back, tells me he’s sorry, and humbly asks for my forgiveness.

What a turn-on.

Ephesians 5:33 KJV

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

The Lord made marriage, and it is good.