Good Morning Girls!  If  I were to write Tom a letter of commitment to our marriage he would find that to be stupid and redundant.  I've told you before that he is the most loyal and committed person you will ever meet, in all areas of his life.  So, for me to write a note telling him I am committed to us, his thought process would be "duh, that is what marriage is.  We made that commitment 11 years ago."  Then he would wonder "were you ever not committed to it?" and it would be a whole dumb discussion.  Instead, I have made a few valentines to bring to Mexico.  One of them will express commitments I am making to him.  A commitment to SHOW him more support.  A commitment to GIVE him encouragement.  A commitment to PRAY for him daily.  A commitment to LISTEN when he shares something.  A commitment to HELP him obtain his dreams in any way I can.  I want him to realize that I am more than his wife.  I am truly his help-mate.  I am here not only to take care of him at home, but to also be a warrior for him and his dreams.  That brings me back to day 38:Love Fulfills Dreams.

When Tom and his partners started their business a few years ago, they started with a clear vision.  They spent months, no, years, thinking about and planning how they wanted their business to operate.  They had big plans from the start.  So big that me and the other wife would get together and talk about how they would never be able to do the things they wanted to do.  We were the wet blankets. They would tell us something they planned, we would respond with the  "What if's, and the How are you gonna's?"  Regardless of our feedback, they kept dreaming, planning, and working towards their dream. 

They were challenged from the start.  We were faced with a huge non compete lawsuit from his old company.  We were out of work for 10 months as we were tied up in court, unable to work.  We had multiple employees betray our trust.  We were lied to, stolen from, and left to fend for ourselves.  Through all of this, they never quit. They never gave up.  They simply worked harder and smarter.  They continued to dream bigger and better.  They saw an industry that was not being run to it's potential and were excited to show just how it could operate and function:  More efficiently, profitably, and with integrity.

And they did it!  Their business was on it's way to being just what they had visioned.  Then the housing and loan market crashed and, well, you all watch the news, it isn't easy for anyone right now.  However, they are still in business, and doing better than most.  For the last few years they have put more heart, soul, sweat, and tears into their dream.  They never even talk about giving up.  I know I would have quit long ago!  I also know there have been times when I wish he would give up.  It is for selfish reasons.  I don't like the hours he has had to put in.  I don't like the stress he is under.  I don't like the financial uncertainty of this volatile market.  I don't like coming in second to his dream......

Then one day the light bulb flickered on.  I realized that this dream he has is all about me.  It is his way of showing me how much he loves me.  It is his way of being the best dad.  He is honoring me by never quitting and taking the easy way out.  He knows that his dream is a dream that will be fulfilled!  He knows the man he would become if he gave up on his dream- a man who always knew he was capable of more.  A man who knows they are not doing what they should be doing will slowly die inside.  They will lose the desire to be the man they were created to be in all areas of their life.  He is actually taking care of us, by carrying out his dream. for the first time in years, I am excited for him, for us, about the dreams he has in his heart.  I am committed more than ever to helping him fulfill his dreams! 

And that is the mission of my trip to Mexico with Tom.  By the time we get home I want him to know just how much I believe in him.  I want him to know that I believe without a shadow of a doubt that he is capable of everything he has set his heart to.  I want him to know how proud I am of him.  I want him to come back walking just a little taller, filled with the revelation of this truth: his wife thinks he is the best gift God gave her.....and to be honest with you girls, this truth has been lost to me for awhile.  It is over the last 40 days that the Lord has brought me to this place.  A place where I can look at Tom's life, from his point of view.  A place of understanding, appreciation, and a genuine desire to go out of my way to help him see the dreams of his heart fulfilled.  I know as I know that if I take care of him, the Lord will see to it that my personal dreams come true as well.  I no longer have to "fend for myself".

 I cannot express how light and free I feel.  I also feel like a newlywed.  A newlywed who knows full well that her husband will be leaving gobs of toothpaste in the sink, and socks on the floor.  Regardless, right now, today, this morning, he is perfect!  (of course, I haven't seen him yet this morning so it is easy to feel this way)

Love you all-
Jen

Assignment:
Spend time in personal prayer, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse.  Include why you are committing to this marriage until death, and that you have purposed to love them no matter what.  Leave it in a place that your mate will find it.

Questions:
what were some of the hesitations you had in writing this letter? How do you expect your spouse to respond to it? How did God help you in writing it, and what did the process teach you about yourself?

 Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart