Rituals are habits of remembrance. We give thanks before we eat to remember that God is our provider and to gratefully acknowledge Him as such. We celebrate advent to remember the joy of the incarnation. Neither of these are required in God’s Word and must never be required of God’s people. Neither, however, should they be forbidden (Romans 14:5).
When the world creates its own rituals, or habits of remembrance, we should not be surprised. We celebrate the heroism and the wisdom of our founding fathers on Independence Day. And we celebrate the blessings of mothers every second Sunday in May. In both instances we in the body of Christ are not merely celebrating random pleasures, but giving thanks to God for good gifts that we know have come from Him.
My wife is a walking, talking ritual of remembrance, a living symbol and conduit of God’s grace. I receive that grace daily, as well as witness it flowing into the lives of our boys. All three of us, messy, masculine and melancholy have become better men through her labors over us. She loves us and cares for us. She teaches us when we don’t feel like learning, and lifts us up when we feel like giving up. The first nickname I gave her still stands- she is Batnabbas, daughter of encouragement.
Before Lisa, my boys and their dad were like wilted, sun-scorched and dying olive plants around the table. Lisa, however, invests in us, waters us with grace, gently plucks the weeds we’ve grown comfortable with. She lifts us out of the mud and brings forth fruit. I am blessed each day to see the difference, to live the difference. She can see it too, though she is reluctant to take any credit. I, however, know when it all changed. It was the day she vowed before the living God to forsake all others. She put her hand to the plow and has not looked back.
She prays with and for all three of us, husband and sons. Not perfunctory, because you’re supposed to prayers, but fervent and effective prayers, storming the gates of heaven prayers, importunate widow prayers. What child or husband could ask for more?
But there is more. My wife, the mother of our boys, is godly, diligent, wise, gentle but she is also an awful lot of fun. We have a home filled with laughter, bellies filled with wonders from her kitchen. I am, as my boys have often confessed, a better man because of her. My boys, as I often confess, are better young men because of her.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:25-31).
We, Reilly, Donovan and I, rise to call you blessed.
*Check out the three of us discussing Lisa’s myriad blessings on the podcast posted below.