Thursday, August 20, 2009

Day Four




"GLORY to GOD. GLOOOORRRY to GOD. GLORY to GOD in the HIGHEST!" It's a shouting match in the sun-room. The piano thunders with small fists pounding out fits of enthusiasm. Jack's voice echos a half-second behind Jane's, and Lulu is screaming. Day four of Daddy's backpacking trip and the glory's getting quite stout around here. As it erupts down the hall and across my bed covers, I sigh. Morning light pools on the floor. It's one of those moments where staring far off into space never felt so good.

Barbarian husband is off fighting the whiles of mountain trails, rugged peaks, hiking on past the pit-bottom of exhaustion. Surviving on the land (and dehydrated food), a communion of man-ness happens. It's the antithesis of our safe life. The antidote. How is it that danger nourishes the heart of a man? And glory the heart of a child. Who knew I would tend such rare commodities .

8 comments:

Olson Family said...

Hallelujah!

You bless me by these moments -- these oh-so-glorious moments!

I needed this encouragement... of the reminder to nurture that which is naturally hard-wired into my man and my babies. Thank you.

Daniel and Cerissa said...

Wait... is this your life... or mine?

Yet I am only on day 2 of Barbarian-man's fight against the wild :)

You are a good woman and an inspiration to this mother staring into space...

Love you!

Audra said...

what a way with words you have ~ LOVE the picture also!!!

Anonymous said...

I wish there was a "like" button here as on Facebook. I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading your thoughts. The images stick with me, as well as the questions.

Susan Cowger said...

Men and Danger. Who knew we were signing on for this, only realizing it after there is a LOT at stake (read: children and wife).

He goes for danger and is not afraid--he goes for danger and I am.

We had a kitty that would purr when she was anxious--we called it the panic purr. That's what trusting God in those moments (days and long nights)feels like to me. Panic purr.

Pig Woman said...

When I read your post, the first question that came to mind was if danger and risk nourish the heart of a man, what universally nourishes the heart of a woman? I was thinking maybe safety and security because that feels pretty good over here, but isn't THAT an odd mix. And actually, I am not so sure I came hardwired with a special need for safety and security, rather it developed as a result of living 28 years with my risk taking husband. Its like I had to move to the polar opposite in order to pull him into that fertile middle ground. So what does nourish the heart of a woman? What do you think? Is there a fairly universal need like men have with danger?

Craig and Bethany said...

Pig Woman! And everyone, ya'all are a chorus of such encouragement. Love you all. Thanks!

Great question about what nourishes the heart of a woman...

Okay, I'm going to cast a vote for beauty. Anyone else nourished by beauty in some form or another? Way back from playing dress-up to finding the playgrounds of art, music, humor, literature, even sports (I know, don't laugh!), but I am absolutely drawn to the elegance of form and design, excellence. All things take on some bigger meaning when I make out a thread of beauty. The more adverse the circumstance, the more surprising the thread. Plus, whoever didn't want to actually look pretty?

What about the rest of you? Any votes on what nourishes the heart of a woman?

Pig Woman said...

Ok, I've got it now. SHOPPING!

snort snort snort