Learning is most human.

'I wait with gratitude for God's provision and our needs have been met.

I woke up at 3 am with that thought and started to see the truth in it. Even now, the transmission to Marcia's car has stopped working. We looked at the cost of replacement, and during the assessment, the mechanic told us what it would cost to fix the oil leak. So, after all the warning lights are tended to, the transmission is replaced, and the oil leak fixed, we are up in the range to reconsider and move toward a new, used car.

I'm the kind of person that finds a car that meets my needs looks good, and is reasonably priced. Take a test drive, do the paperwork, and drive away. Marcia takes a test drive and walks away, again and again.

I'm the kind of person that agrees to remodel a room in the house that has been used as a storage room for all the years the kids grew up. They have been gone for years now, so it's a good idea to remodel that room. Make it a grand master bathroom with a closet and storage area all in one. I would hire a contractor and pay him when the job is finished and enjoy the new addition. However, Marcia has preferences and ideas and knows methods for how things are to be built...and painted...and attached...and applied; she comes from a family of engineers, carpenters, and corporate power people. So, she becomes the contractor.

I'm learning something. I'm learning about me and about Marcia and about God.

Emerson Eggerichs, who wrote "Love and Respect", says, "Not wrong, just different." Ok, but divorce court is full because of "Irreconcilable Differences."

Paul David Tripp, in his book, "What Did You Expect", wrote that we can celebrate our differences. "When we celebrate God as Creator in our marriage, we can begin to look at one another with wonder and joy. When you look at your spouse and see the Creator’s glory, you feel blessed by how he or she is different. You are amazed and respectful of the experiences and perspectives that your spouse has brought into your life, which you never would have had without this person. And you look for ways to communicate your appreciation and gratitude.

... when you celebrate the creativity of God and how he formed your spouse and brought you both together for his glory and your good, you quit being irritated by the differences and start celebrating how they have enhanced your life. As a result, you will not only give room to your spouse’s unique giftings and perspectives, but you will honor him or her in what you do and say, even (and especially) in the moments when you’re confronted with your differences."

Ok, that's a good, life-changing truth. What that has done for me is open my eyes to what my wife is and what her way creates in her. In my world, life is trusted, embraced, and enjoyed. However, with that can come inadequate planning, blind spots, and scrambling after the fact. True, but it's a stress-free type of living, in my opinion. Marcia, on the other hand, does her due diligence and research. There are not many that can pull something over on her. She knows the questions to ask, to get the information, and to get the desired result. Ok. That takes time. That takes consideration. Within both time and consideration, one is susceptible to stress. Due diligence does not assure the results hoped for. Past disappointments prolong this process. Therein lies my purpose.

Paul Roberts instilled in me a truth, Marcia is God's perfect provision for you, and you are God's perfect provision for her.

As I consider that, I recognize that I have a high degree of patience. This is revealed in the simplest of ways. Waiting. I can wait as long as it takes - on hold, in line, in life. Also, I can focus in the midst of dogs barking, babies crying, or mosquitoes covering my face waiting for my release to go off in a national archery tournament.

But my patience is not for patience sake. As a believer, my patience is a gift of faith as I wait on God's promises and provision.

Now, who I am plays a role in the heart of my wife.

She has the freedom to be who God has designed her. Her preferences and cautious consideration take time. Time opens the door to stress and worry. However, my patience connected to an eternal perspective will draw near with prayer and encouragement. Both of which bring the 'life process' more enjoyment.

I have been amazed at God's provision as I wait with gratitude.

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