What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~ Martin Luther

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Gift


I am a writer.

Words have power over me and freeing them from my fingertips is liberating and calming and emotional and powerful. For years I have been scribbling out words from fingertips into this cyber journal and in doing so pouring forth a glorious life lived. Dreams are for the taking, accomplishments for the admiring, anecdotes for the brightening and truths for the strengthening, all mixed about with love and joy and photos.

Because I don't want to forget. And I don't want my children to forget.

For more than a year, unbeknownst to me, my love was gathering these snippets of heart into a surprise of the most monumental proportions. Love wrapped in brown paper packages.


A book of my words. And yet, His. A book of remembrances, ours.



Sandwiched between ink and paper was gratitude. And adoration. And reassurance. And romance. And ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.



And the tears flowed.

He sees me!

He sees what I strive to do, he translates what it means.



He NOTICES the unnoticeable .... and acknowledges the HARD work that I do.

Every. single. day.



He sends me a lovenote that says I appreciate you and all you do. The most beautiful love note I will ever get, could ever get.


He tells me, "I know you. I know who you are. Where you came from. What you love. We are one."


In the photos he has chosen, he assures me of his adoration. And yes, he DOES think I am beautiful after all. Even after 8 years, and eye wrinkles and darkening hair and widened hips and skin stretched around four children and coming home to the same woman every night and being
SATISFIED.


He relishes in our life together and shares in the memories. We laugh. We cry.


We wonder at the beauty of it all.



Devotion.

It is the most beautiful word in the world.

And the assurance of it is the greatest gift I can ever imagine.



38 comments:

Bonnie said...

That.Flipping. Rocks.
Wow!
Did you totally cry your eyes out when you opened it?
I would've!

Rosemary said...

What a beautiful, wonderful, thoughtful, loving gesture. You are all so blest.

Bonnie said...

P.S. I'm glad someone finally thought to publish you!

Regina said...

Beautiful!

Tracy said...

How absolutely, and completely wonderful, Rebecca. What a gift, to be treasured for years to come, not only by you, but the generations who follow after you.

He did good!

Unknown said...

wow, what a precious, beautiful gift!

aleahy said...

I love it! I read you post often-it really encourages me, and I am a mom with almost grown kids!

Anonymous said...

it got me all teary. what a gift to be seen for all you are!

uli said...

What a gift! A forever gift to love and cherish and read and re-read for years to come. A gift for your children in the future. You are blessed!

Terri said...

Oh my word! That is just the most amazing gift. He did a great job!!!

Anonymous said...

OH MY! what a wonderful gift...not just the book, but your husband also!
I think it is what we all crave - acceptance, appreciation and acknowledgement :)

alltheposts said...

That is seriously awesome!! Hands down the greatest gift I've ever seen.

flacius1551 said...

Delurking to say, what an amazing present.

Mrs Abbott said...

Lovely! Where did he get it done? I want to do one! Thanks!

Marlene Bibby said...

This is worth more than a thousand times receiving flowers, Rebecca. I am sure you will treasure this always. Way to go, Matt!!!!

Jen said...

That is a beautiful gift!!!

Teresa said...

WOW!!! What an amazing gift! I am amazed...did I say that already? Beautiful! THAT.IS.THE.COOLEST.THING.I.HAVE.EVER.SEEN!

Miranda Hupp said...

What a wonderful gift! You are one lucky woman. :o)

Nanci said...

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."

Please give Matt a great big hug for me. I know how much this must have meant to you. What a treasure!

Nanci said...

You know this post and seeing this book made me cry. I am so very anxious to look through it.

Stacey said...

Delurking to say I love reading what you post. You inspire me-the mom and superhero that you are! You are truely blessed!!

Christine said...

You are very blessed! I love his creative idea! Your photos are stunning!

Unknown said...

Just GORGEOUS, Rebecca! :) Two thumbs up that Mattie of yours! :)

Rebecca said...

Ditto what Alisa said. You are such an encouragement to me and so many others. I found you at the right time God wanted me to. What a blessing you are to your family. Your husband is quite wonderful too!

Father's Grace Ministries said...

I've been reading and enjoying your blog for a long time now, Rebecca, not to mention receiving much encouragement and blessings from your words and photos.

This is so beautiful- a real tribute from the one on earth, whose opinion matters most.
This brought tears to my eyes.
Blessings to you all.
Claire

Davene Grace said...

Wow, wow, WOW! I can't think of anything more profound to say, or anything that the others who commented haven't yet said. But wow!

I'm so happy for you!!! :)

Leah said...

Rebecca, that is just so absolutely wonderful that your husband loves and appreciates you so. That is truly one of the greatest gifts from a husband to a wife that I have ever seen. Lovely. Amazing. Truly a joy to witness.

Wendy said...

Oh WOW! Major points for Matt! That is a DREAM gift!!!!!!! I actually had tears in my eyes! Those are such heartfelt words of affirmation! Truly truly amazing! I was working on a book like this for myself...I know it would be so much more meaningful to have someone else do it...you are blessed indeed!

Also...a quick note...I responded to your comment on my blog...and then realized that I should have maybe left it here...so instead of re writing...just hop on over when you can pull yourself away from that beautiful book! ( I want to see it!) Also...who did he use? Snapfish? Blurb? It came out so nice!

Rebecca said...

I *knew* you gals would understand!

Beckahboo--- that was my nickname for MANY years! Pretty neat...

Pink Panda and Wendy~ blurb.com

:-)

Elaine said...

That is a great book. And what a gift- astounding. And to always have it as a memory for you and to show children and grandchildren. God's love comes through.

Riahli said...

Wow. I don't know it there is anything more romantic then this... what a thoughtful thing for him to do!

Jerelene said...

What a thoughtful, incredibly loving and romantic husband you have!!! You are so blessed:) Those last 4 words say it all....You are my everything...
The book is just beautiful...just like you!!! He is lucky to have you too...you are a gifted writer, photographer, Mother and Wife...
You are such a blessing to all who visit your blog:)
Love and Blessings, Jerelene

Jaya P said...

do you know now, what you do to the people who read your blog? including your husband.

wow.. no words. tears in my eyes. so romantic. such a lovely acknowledgement of who you are.... and who he is.

so glad for you. enjoy your gift.

Mar said...

I've always loved the word "Cherish". It seems to say so much more than "love". Reading this post, it is very, very obvious that you are CHERISHED.

Anonymous said...

A gift better than diamonds. What a wonderful man. You are truly blessed.

Jen in OK

Todd said...

So where can we buy this piece of literature? Very nice.

Rosina {Rosy ~ Posy} said...

Oh this is so incredibly sweet!! You have one super thoughtful man :)

Thanks so much for stopping by my blogs a few days back and leaving a comment on my cleaning out the freezer post :) I had to smile when you were actually looking forward to your not so gentle cow being in the soup pot *grin*. We had an episode with a maniacal goat one year and I couldn't wait for it to hit the pot either LOL. I've really enjoyed reading your blog tonight :)

Abigail said...

I'm gonna hop off now to read the girls a bedtime story, but I wanted to electronically comment on this, too.

What a hit-to-the-heart gift, and I hope you're reading it this week when the husband-longing hits.

Beautiful-- your words and photos and his thought-- all of it.