ANOTHER SACRED CONVERSATION WITH MY BROTHER, KEVIN
I began telling him how my daughter, Ember, went a little crazy on her dad, which surprised me. After we chatted about it for a bit, I told Kevin that the real point of our conversation, though, was that we really have to take this work for God more seriously. It was not only to teach Ember all that he has taught me, but it was really about us teaching the entire world these crucial lessons about having a God perspective for life.
I’m so grateful to Kevin who always said, “Neeks, you have a husband who respects you and takes great care of his family. You can’t ask for anything more than that. Enjoy your gorgeous life!” Honestly, just like Ember, I had lost it with hubby for about 15 seconds one evening, and he came and sat with me and said, “Nik, I’m here with you every night. All day I’m at work doing my best for you guys. What more do you want from me?” Honestly, there is nothing else I can ask of this man! Only to ask God to give me the strength and ability to be an even better wife, mom, and person.
God even got in on our conversation when the next day, a song by Babyface played as I was getting dressed to go out:
“I give good love…
I’ll cook your dinner too
Soon as I get home from work’
Can you believe after calling hubs all day to ask what he wanted for dinner, I got back from my outing and meet hubby in the kitchen, still in his work clothes, cooking dinner for us? That song playing was God Himself saying, ‘Nik, Nik, Nik, Nik!!! Look at this beautiful husband I’ve blessed you with! Don’t take him for granted!’ Hubs prepared that food with such love, and I ended up cleaning my plate and hubby sharing some of his with me.
Ember was upset that her dad didn’t take me out for our anniversary, and I told her that I was the one saying that we didn’t need to go anywhere because every evening, the restaurant comes to us. We have a date night every night with our cook preparing us better than restaurant food! We shower, come down in our pajamas, and enjoy the best food. Like Uncle Kevin says, “Your mom has a gorgeous life!”
The moral of this story is that there is enough anger, hate, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, and evil in the world. May we be God’s representatives out there reflecting His love, mercy (forgiveness without punishment and learning to KEEP SILENT and venting our frustrations to God), kindness, faithfulness, loyalty, gentleness, and patience with the world.
We are really too hard on each other! I told Ember to open her eyes to where she was, at this gorgeous country club university in New York – Your dad’s hard work did that for you! Overwhelm him with your love, respect, and appreciation! He has gone above and beyond his responsibility as a husband and dad. May more men show up for their families the way your dad does for us. Anyone can find the dirt in others (that’s easy!); may we be the ones to find gold! We must keep forgiving, keep forgiving and keep forgiving because none of us are perfect! The same love God shows us, we’re to reflect to others!
Thank you, Kevin, for being my guard rails and keeping me from making bad decisions! May we share your gift of wisdom with the world! A message from Ceri yesterday was about how God is strategic in the people He brings into our lives. I have no doubt that God Himself planned for us to be on this adventure together for the past four years of you holding my hands and supporting me through my rough patch. Every conversation has been sacred, and I’m more motivated than ever to finish our book! Everyone needs a Kevin in their life!!!!