When My Husband Wouldn’t Pick Up His Pants

Every single day.

There they are. Pushed into the corner of the bathroom between the door and the sink.

My husband’s pants.

The other day one of our daughters was unhappy with him because she wasn’t getting a clear answer for a request she made. And really she was right. Her feelings of frustration were legitimate just like my feelings of frustration over these pants are real.

But here’s the thing: there is a bigger truth about my husband than the fact he doesn’t answer our kids in a timely manner and leaves his dirty pants on the floor.

He works.

We have a big family with a lot of kids who keep growing, eating and needing new clothes.  Over the years he has never been ashamed to do what it takes to provide for us. I have cringed because of a side job he worked. I have wished he didn’t have to sell that prized possession to pay a bill. But this man does whatever it takes to keep us thriving as a family.

He tells the truth.

My husband doesn’t keep secrets.  He doesn’t have private passwords or bank accounts or friends that I don’t know.  He is an open book and he is deeply honest. He tells me about his day. He shares his weakness. He lets me into his most intimate thoughts.

He lives by conviction. 

My husband is unconventional. He is rooted in the truth of God’s word. He is passionate about people. He is dedicated to growing the kingdom of Jesus. He is good at living and sharing the gospel.

Sometimes his methods don’t sit well with churches who financially support our work. (This is where I start crying.) My husband has never violated the integrity of his work as a preacher, minister and man of God to keep a check coming.  He lives knowing that he answers to God not a committee who reads a monthly report and decide to not support us because the sign on a building doesn’t look like theirs.

My husband is his own man and that fills me a peaceful assurance. We can stand behind him and be sheltered by his wisdom, his authority and his love.

So, to my daughter who was frustrated with his inattentiveness, I said, I know it bothers you, but if you find a man just like him I hope you keep him.