Priorities And A Paycheck

My husband is smack in the middle (I'm southern, if you can't tell) of his busiest season of the year. He is working long hours like a crazy man and coming home hungry and tired, sometimes too tired to care about the hunger! So yesterday I offered to take him some lunch which turned into somewhat of an impromptu date while he waited on late concrete. He decided to show me through the home he was working on. It was the personal home of one of the builder's he contracts for and it was magnificent. There is not one tiny detail that has been overlooked in this mansion. The builder/homeowner was with us and guided us through, explaining his excitement over certain aspects of the process with much humility, almost embarrassed about the amount of money he has put into it. But when we were done, he joked to my husband that we could build a house just like it if we'd give up certain things in our own lifestyle. Then he added seriously "really, we would love to send our kids to your school, but I can't. We are completely out of money building this thing. So, see, G., just pull your kids of school and send your wife to work and I can get started on building your place."

I know it was this man's way of defending the notion that he isn't all that much more financially set than we are (which isn't true), but after witnessing my husband's reactions during our conversation, I came to much more fully respect one aspect of his character that I've probably taken too much for granted.

I am DEEPLY committed to developing a godly character in our kids hearts, first and foremost, and I know my husband is too. Otherwise he would not be spending roughly 20% of our income on Christian education. He has been behind me on that from the beginning and was completely supportive of home schooling, too, though he couldn't give me the logistical help required for that. But he does go out and bust his rump 10-12 hours per day, 5-6 days per week in the Midwestern heat, getting dirty and dealing with many a weather change and employee need (he is a FANTASTIC manager) to make enough for school. And because he never complains, and I myself am so completely comfortable with Walmart clothes and hand-me-downs, I never really realized how much macho pressure he faces building these million-dollar homes every day. I think all the time about the heat and the sweat and the blowing sand, but yesterday I saw something else. IF he wanted to spend his income another way, he probably COULD HAVE the mahogany office and the sports car or the vanishing edge swimming pool. I wouldn't want them even if we could afford it (for reasons that would require a whole other post to explain), but that doesn't mean he wouldn't. And yet what he wants more, even as these guys entice him and he spends his days surrounded in the fine details of gorgeous showcase manors, is for our children's hearts to be solid and firm and set on the things of God. Despite his daily temptations otherwise. His lack of materialism is a huge part of why I married him in the first place. But back when we were first married, he could not have offered those things anyway. Yesterday, however, my respect and admiration for him only swelled. He wanted to let me partake in the beauty he would like to give our family and that would probably be a physical validation of all his hard work, but he's not so macho that he'd dwell there to the detriment of our children. THAT is why I am rich!

Edit to add: I was hesitant to post this example because I do not want to start a debate on public vs. private vs. home schooling. We have done them all and chosen what God wanted for OUR family at each particular stage. And I believe SO STRONGLY in my heart that God ordains different venues for different people and different seasons and that ALL God-fearing parents and most people in general angst for proper education choices for their children. This includes our builder, who no doubt gets a lot of breaks on his building costs! I am also convinced that only a parent (or other ordained caretaker) of a particular child is equipped by the Holy Spirit to know God's sovereign will for that child. Only that person knows what doors God has opened or closed. I pray for all of you and all your children to have their hearts protected with Truth every day, wherever they go. We are ALL precious in His sight!