THE 8 Weeks

We are officially 8 weeks away from the VA bar exam. . . and I want to let you in on a little plan I have.

My plan is to purposely bless my husband for 8 weeks. For 6 of these weeks the kids and I won't even be here, so I really only have TWO WEEKS to most effectively carry out this plan. I guess it's not a secret, because he'll probably read this (if he has time!), and I guess if ya'll know this is my intent I feel even more responsible. . . which is a good thing.

I am responsible. B needs to devote his time to studying. After three years of law school, this is the BIG DEAL. His professors are recommending that he study 10-12 hours a day, every day, until the bar. (They did say that 4-5 hours on Sunday was allowable!) Knowing this, I can really only choose one of two things.

1) I can bemoan these 8 weeks. I can complain. I can sigh. I can grudgingly do the work myself. I can subtly let my husband know how hard this is on all the rest of us.

2) I can be his helpmate for 8 weeks. I can encourage him. I can adapt my schedule to best suit his. I can joyfully and cheerfully do all the work (it won't really be all, and it is only for a few weeks!). I can have dinner ready on time. I can pack his lunch. I can get up earlier so I am home from the gym earlier. I can let him know in numerous ways that I appreciate his serious efforts and that I am so very, very thankful for him and who he has become these last three years.

It is so obvious that I want to choose the second way of living these next few weeks. My mind chooses #2, but my flesh still selfishly cries out for self-gratification. Oh, how very much I need Jesus!

So, this is my experiment and my commitment. I commit here to do my utmost to bless my husband for the next two weeks. (It's how I want to live all the time, anyway... this is a great focus time!) The experiment is really on myself: will the Lord change me in these next weeks to be more of the woman that He desires? Will I succeed in blessing my husband? We shall see. . . in eight weeks or so.