2-25pm

I remember listening to a Focus on the Family many years ago where one of the guests said differences between husband and wife is like money owed, while similarities are like money saved. I was horrified! As newly weds Mike and I had so many differences, it was crazy to think that we could possibly be compatible. Let’s start with our age difference – 13 years and 8 months. I was 21 when I walked down the aisle – he was already 35. Culturally, he was raised in a semi-Afrikaans home – I was English through and through. He is a perfectionist – me? Not so much! Lol. Mike loves technology – Helga loves people. Mike is a numbers man. Words make Helga tick. Mike likes staying home. Helga likes going out. Mike likes cold toast. Helga prefers hot toast with melted butter oozing. Mike likes hot milk in his coffee. Helga doesn’t mind.  Mike’s a night owl. I’m an early bird.  I’ve said most of these things on this blog before, but my point is that where, amidst all these differences, will we find compatibility? God created a  crazy ‘love’ chemistry that drew us together, leaving  us smitten with one another & needing to work out our extensive list of differences! God created it.  Jesus has always been the Centre of our marriage. He is our Rock – the solid Foundation and Cornerstone and Counsellor. Because of Him, we have been happy. But if I had to mention one other word that has resulted in the longevity of our happiness together, I have to bring it down to:

COMPROMISE!

That’s where it’s at. Mike has compromised. I have compromised. And in the garden of our vastly differing personality types and characteristics, we have grown a crop of similarities – and they have budded and blossomed. At times, they have been pruned and drastically cut back, only to grow closer and stronger and more meaningful. We’re more of a hybrid now of the two people who said “I do” 27 and a half years ago. Mike has molded me and I have molded him. We’ve blended. Our differences are less. We have celebrated the ones we cannot change and embraced the ones we can. I will drink coffee with hot milk and have cold toast. Mike will rise early with me & sometimes I will stay up late with him. We are united!

There has to be compromise.  And all of that to tell you, that there must be a great deal of love for me to have gone to Simonstown Golf Club yesterday afternoon with him for 9 holes.  I love “playing” golf with Mike. I don’t exactly play. When I say I’m off to play golf with Mike, it’s me caddying for him. I just love it, but yesterday, wind guru told us a pretty similar story to what it says today…

It was close to a gale force south easter. But because I love Mike, I went and we had a wonderful, memorable, windswept 9 holes.  The wind played havoc with Mike’s golf, but he still only went round in 47, which, considering the conditions was pretty good. What was not so hot, was this photo of me…..Mike’s cap may have stayed on, but not my hat….

😀

This is Mike blowing towards the flag…

I had great joy in bellowing to Mike, yelling to be heard above the wind “Mike, this is wonderful! I’m so enjoying myself! It was such a good idea!” It was crazy! And we both concluded that I don’t think we will do it again!

What was also crazy, and also in a good way, was the cricket! YaY for the brilliant Proteas who pulled off an exceptional victory against Australia.  It really sets the series on a knife edge as the decider kicks off in Cape Town this weekend. Gotta love cricket!

In my Bible reading this morning, I got thinking about the amount of waiting we do. We are continually waiting for the next thing. Our days are marked by events and celebrations, milestones and meaningful moments. From the moment we begin to remember, we are waiting. Waiting to start school, waiting for the weekend, waiting for the holidays. Waiting to finish school. Waiting to get a job, get married, buy a house, have children. Waiting for the children to grow up. Waiting for them to leave home. Waiting to retire. Waiting to die! All that waiting on things that are, mainly, oh, so fleeting! There is wisdom in waiting for and on the One who made us all. Psalm 40:1

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.”

That is what we want – to just wait for & on God. He hears us. We want to put our hand in the Hand of the Lord, so He can direct our path. Then our waiting will not depend on us but on Him. Don’t be too future focused. Focus instead on God.

May He bless you today!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Gratitude/Happiness Pic…one of my favourite holes at Simonstown. Mike about to tee off on the 6th…