sharing in the grace of life

  Sometimes, something you read nails it.  I just read the chapter on "speaking woman" from Stu Weber's book, "Tender Warrior".  At the end of the chapter he gives this exhortation.  It's a long, but most good things are.

  "Men, we need to make the effort, take the risk, and speak the language ('woman').  A woman needs honoring and cherishing and nourishing.  She needs to know she is the top priority in her man's life.  In the early years of our marriage, I tended to look at my wife as my "partner."  I sang bass, she sang soprano.  I was playing right guard, she was playing tackle.  She was my executive assistant.  She was my fellow worker.  She was my fellow soldier.  She was my wing man.  But a woman doesn't want to be a wing man.  She doesn't want to be a tackle.  She doesn't even want to be a junior "partner" in all your endeavors.
   She wants to be in your heart and soul.  She wants to hear it from you and see it in you.
   Do you remember when your first child was born?  Do you remember what that day felt like?  Do you remember those emotions of tenderness you felt towards this lady who had just borne you that little son or daughter?  I'll never forget it.  I was walking down the hallway in that hospital with my chest expanded about three shirt sizes, eyes alert for somebody to broadcast my story to.  What I wanted to broadcast was, "Hey world, this is my wife, this is my woman, this is my miracle worker.  Look what she has done!"
  Do you remember that feeling?  Well, bottle it.  Bottle that feeling of pride and cherishing and treasuring and nourishing and honoring.  And once you've bottled it, slap a liberal dose on both cheeks every morning.
  Some of you by the providence of God have not been able to have those children.  Your task is even more profound.  You find pride and put it on five times a day.  Do battle with hell itself for the sake of your woman and your marriage.  Polish the treasure where you live and forget the mythical one at the end of Hollywood's rainbow.  All you need is under your own roof if you'll only acknowledge it and cherish it.
  That's how to live with a woman.  That's how to speak her language.  Down through the long years it is an effort that will chase loneliness our of dark corners and paint joyful murals on the hallways of your life."