July 1999-Life With Bob is Interesting

(first one)

Life with Bob is interesting. We've been married a number of years now (28), and we have three daughters and one son, and three grandsons and two granddaughters. We've had our share of ups and downs like everyone else, but nothing really drastic, which I'm thankful for.

Bob and I share the same values and think alike on most things. We sure do have our differences though. Like for instance, Bob wakes up at the awful hour of 5 A.M. He likes to get an early start on the day, which is commendable. He has to drive an hour to get to where he cuts cedar and wants to get back to the sawmill early. I know 5 A.M. isn't early to some people, but it's the middle of the night to me. I don't like to get up that early. Bob wakes up bright and cheerful but if I wake up that early I'm not really awake for another hour or two and I have the disposition of a bear. But when night falls, after a big supper of meat and potatoes (no casseroles for Bob), he's stretched out in the recliner, relaxing or sleeping, while I feel that the best part of the day has arrived. Well, he probably feels that way too, since he's stretched out in the recliner.

And take sports for instance. Bob likes sports and is good at most of them he has tried. He likes to play basketball, softball, he used to bowl, run track, water ski, and he loves to hunt and fish. Me, I can't walk and chew gum at the same time. I can walk across the floor and trip on my own feet. I used to water ski, but that was many years and many pounds ago. I'd rather read a book.

Bob can't stand to garden. He has said he'd rather work longer and buy what we need than have to work in a garden. On the other hand, I like to garden and watch everything grow, although I will admit I hate to weed it. I get a real satisfaction when I see all the jars of beans and produce that I put on the shelves.

Bob likes dogs; I like cats.

Bob likes cooler weather; I like warmer weather.

I could list a whole page of ways we are different, but you get the point. Most of the important things we agree on, and other things we agree to disagree on. I've said all this about Bob and me being different in fun (although it's all true), to make this point: God loves us both. He doesn't mind if I don't want to play softball, He doesn't mind if Bob won't eat a casserole.

Sometimes it's difficult being who you are, because you might not like who you are. You might think you're not like everybody else, or you can't change, or you're not good enough. None of us are good enough on our own. God loves each and every one of us just as we are. God has created each one of us in His image to bring glory to Him. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we become a new creature in Christ. And as we strive to walk closer with Him, He is making us more like Him.