Yesterday someone called to check and see how things are going with Dave's job hunt. He meant well and I appreciate his effort to pick up the phone and let us know he cares. Let me repeat: I so appreciate that he cares.
But as the conversation developed, I felt less cared for and more judged. I could hear in his words that he views my hubby (whom he's never met) as a man who sits around burping and scratching when he should be out working. The man who just spent three years at perhaps one of the most competitive universities in the world, studying things like polymers alongside Chinese students who never sleep, working eighteen hours a day to come out with a decent grade in Cornell's graduate chemistry program.
Yeah, I'm bragging. I'm also pounding this keyboard too hard. Nobody messes with my man. My man who got home at one o'clock in the morning, slept for four hours, then awoke at five to make the one hour drive to school again--for six and sometimes seven days a week. This is not the kind of man who is content to sit on the couch all day and read Hunter magazine.
But I didn't point any of this out to my phone-a-friend friend. I politely thanked him for caring and said good-bye.
I hesitate to write again about our "situation." Unemployment is a reproach, an icky disease that people discuss behind your back. It's not like having cancer. Cancer isn't your fault. But unemployment is, right? It's something you can fix, and should. That's why my friend called me up on the phone. Because he's a fixer.
That was yesterday. Tonight my hubby asked me to pray with him. So I knelt beside him on the couch (you know, where he drools all day instead of working) and tried to pay attention to his prayer. If you know him, you know that his voice can put you to sleep and I mean that in the kindest way. His is a deep, soothing voice, and his words are carefully thought out, one at a time almost. So I knelt there and soon was thinking about fashion, and wearing jeggings this winter, and big rings. Suddenly I felt the couch shaking. I put my arm on Dave's back and it was shaking, and I realized he was crying. "Oh God, please use us for your glory. Don't let us miss what you have for us, because we're too busy smelling the roses. Do with us whatever you choose. We give our lives to you."
You know what? Dave may never again wear a white lab coat and goggles. He may never realize his dream of developing something groundbreaking and useful for humans in this life. We may never get to take that cross country trip in an RV and show our kids America. But it's fine by me. Life is short--and then the real life begins.
But as the conversation developed, I felt less cared for and more judged. I could hear in his words that he views my hubby (whom he's never met) as a man who sits around burping and scratching when he should be out working. The man who just spent three years at perhaps one of the most competitive universities in the world, studying things like polymers alongside Chinese students who never sleep, working eighteen hours a day to come out with a decent grade in Cornell's graduate chemistry program.
Yeah, I'm bragging. I'm also pounding this keyboard too hard. Nobody messes with my man. My man who got home at one o'clock in the morning, slept for four hours, then awoke at five to make the one hour drive to school again--for six and sometimes seven days a week. This is not the kind of man who is content to sit on the couch all day and read Hunter magazine.
But I didn't point any of this out to my phone-a-friend friend. I politely thanked him for caring and said good-bye.
I hesitate to write again about our "situation." Unemployment is a reproach, an icky disease that people discuss behind your back. It's not like having cancer. Cancer isn't your fault. But unemployment is, right? It's something you can fix, and should. That's why my friend called me up on the phone. Because he's a fixer.
That was yesterday. Tonight my hubby asked me to pray with him. So I knelt beside him on the couch (you know, where he drools all day instead of working) and tried to pay attention to his prayer. If you know him, you know that his voice can put you to sleep and I mean that in the kindest way. His is a deep, soothing voice, and his words are carefully thought out, one at a time almost. So I knelt there and soon was thinking about fashion, and wearing jeggings this winter, and big rings. Suddenly I felt the couch shaking. I put my arm on Dave's back and it was shaking, and I realized he was crying. "Oh God, please use us for your glory. Don't let us miss what you have for us, because we're too busy smelling the roses. Do with us whatever you choose. We give our lives to you."
You know what? Dave may never again wear a white lab coat and goggles. He may never realize his dream of developing something groundbreaking and useful for humans in this life. We may never get to take that cross country trip in an RV and show our kids America. But it's fine by me. Life is short--and then the real life begins.
7 comments:
That's right you honor your man!! God Bless you Faith! :-)
Thanks for being so open and transparent, Faith. Thanks for the reminder to be careful of our assumptions, and to check our motives, to be sure our "help" really is just that. We'll be praying that Dave finds a job soon, yet in God's time.
I love you and Dave. I am sorry that people are rude and inconsiderate. It is easy for them to judge when they aren't sitting in the hot seat! The other day in church.. the Lord spoke into my heart.."If I cause you to suffer.. I will carry you through." Ps. I know how it feels to have your husband ridiculed. Lots of love.. gigi
Couldn't agree more that unemployment is a reproach... to the men whose identity often centers around "what they do" and to us wives who deeply believe in our husbands and know that it's not because they're underqualified or lazy that they can't find work. I know that the Lord has something wonderful chosen for Dave and in HIS time, he will walk through the door the LORD has opened for him. You're in our prayers!
As one of your 10 (oh come on, I know there are more out there) followers, I say "Geronimo" or whatever people say when they jump! Looking forward to "meeting" Free Faith and having even more posts to enjoy.
Danielle Peters
Faith...I love reading what u have to say and listening to u also...I will tell you that I think you have a terrific husband who is doing a great job being a father and a husband..God comands him to do so and he does that job very well. He surley is a Man/Husband that God can look upon smiling....God Bless you Both....And I do agree, God will reveal what he has waiting for Dave on His time....
Great couple of posts, you are living Faith, and that is always rewarded, in this life or the next.
And love your objective eye, even if it may feel unflattering. The Holy Spirit is with you in this walk, and it is a service to others, as well as Him.
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