A few years ago I decided to put a game table in my den. I was thrilled when I found the exact one I wanted on clearance.
I bought the table and stocked the den cabinet near the table with games galore. Oh I had such fantastic visions of my children sitting around this table playing games, assembling puzzles, and bonding in ways that would be the delight of their childhood memories.
Well...
The kids would rather sit on the floor to play games. Not one person has the least bit of interest in puzzles despite my nagging about the wonderful things they do for the brain. And the only memory my very competitive kids will probably have about our game time will be who smashed whose record and who dared cry about it.
That's family bonding at its finest y'all.
So, back to the table.
It has become yet another useless but pretty part of my decor.
Until yesterday.
Art has decided that this would be the perfect spot for the family computer. You know those things with unsightly plastic encasings, chords galore, and accessories that match nary a thing in my house.
Hmfffff.
Oh miss prissy can get her undergarments all in a wad over such things.
That is until (rub her halo) Holly reminded me what a great thing it is that Art is so concerned about the Internet integrity of our home that he wants the computer out in the open at all times.
As soon as she said this, my heart jumped.
You see, I grew up most of my life with a Dad who didn't care.
Not a bit.
Then my mom married my stepfather and I caught a glimpse of what a Father is supposed to be. And I prayed that I'd marry a man much like my stepfather.
What an answer to prayer Art is.
If only I'll make the choice to see that answer to prayer and not get caught up in the lesser things of life.
He's a father who doesn't care about plastic encasings but does care about what fills the hearts and minds of his children.
He's a father who doesn't care about chords dangling here and there but does care about keeping the addictive entanglements of sin away from his children.
He's a father who doesn't care about unmatching accessories but does care about having kids whose actions match their Christian convictions.
So, while I may never have the game table of my dreams- I did get something else so much better.
Sometimes it's really good when Miss Prissy gets overruled.
I bought the table and stocked the den cabinet near the table with games galore. Oh I had such fantastic visions of my children sitting around this table playing games, assembling puzzles, and bonding in ways that would be the delight of their childhood memories.
Well...
The kids would rather sit on the floor to play games. Not one person has the least bit of interest in puzzles despite my nagging about the wonderful things they do for the brain. And the only memory my very competitive kids will probably have about our game time will be who smashed whose record and who dared cry about it.
That's family bonding at its finest y'all.
So, back to the table.
It has become yet another useless but pretty part of my decor.
Until yesterday.
Art has decided that this would be the perfect spot for the family computer. You know those things with unsightly plastic encasings, chords galore, and accessories that match nary a thing in my house.
Hmfffff.
Oh miss prissy can get her undergarments all in a wad over such things.
That is until (rub her halo) Holly reminded me what a great thing it is that Art is so concerned about the Internet integrity of our home that he wants the computer out in the open at all times.
As soon as she said this, my heart jumped.
You see, I grew up most of my life with a Dad who didn't care.
Not a bit.
Then my mom married my stepfather and I caught a glimpse of what a Father is supposed to be. And I prayed that I'd marry a man much like my stepfather.
What an answer to prayer Art is.
If only I'll make the choice to see that answer to prayer and not get caught up in the lesser things of life.
He's a father who doesn't care about plastic encasings but does care about what fills the hearts and minds of his children.
He's a father who doesn't care about chords dangling here and there but does care about keeping the addictive entanglements of sin away from his children.
He's a father who doesn't care about unmatching accessories but does care about having kids whose actions match their Christian convictions.
So, while I may never have the game table of my dreams- I did get something else so much better.
Sometimes it's really good when Miss Prissy gets overruled.
34 Comments:
Yaay for Holly's eyes...That's what good friends do, they keep ya focused. Good word, Lysa.
I wanted to echo what Lisa said; what a great friend you have to see just how to help you get the right perspective.
But maybe you'll be inspired to somehow created a computer cozy to camouflage the plastic and cables? A win/win!
Hey Lysa, when you started talkin unsightly cords I immediately thought of "The Nester" over at the Nesting Place. She has done posts on how to no sew coverings for tables just like yours and I am sure she would be happy to help you make that table beautiful! You've got to email her.
On the spiritual side, it certainly is wonderful to have a hubby who is so concerned with his family. Definitely a blessing! I have to remember that too with my hubby when he starts to upset me because he is very involved with his family and loves us very much.
Well, Holly again has confirmed the post I wrote about her last summer is true - she does have "Her Father's Eyes".
Lysa, cherish that man! He's one in a million. You are so blessed my friend. That game table is a visual of how much your husband loves and cares about you and all his family. The table has become even "prettier" because of it's purpose and Art's protection of all your hearts, keeping your family from the enticement of playing games with the enemy.
Hugs,
Joy
Praise God for wonderful husbands with vision.
I'm right there with you on the aesthetics, girl. 1) Macs have far less cords and plastic and stuff
2) I tied my cords together with coordinating ribbons. :) Kelly
This post brought tears to my eyes. What a good, good man you have, Lysa. I spent a LARGE portion of my life in bondage because of things my way too young eyes saw. (And please know my father was a good man, too. And I know he would have protected me if he had known.) My point is, your husband is indeed so wise to do this...and you are precious to allow the Lord to speak to you through Holly.
I have so often thought I would do a post on the devastating effects that seeing...ummmmm, certain materials...has even on young girls. The focus tends to be on boys. But I just haven't gotten there yet.
Thanking God with you for your precious husband.
K
I agree with Joy from the other day...if the writing/speaking thing doesn't work out (ha ha -- it IS working out!), you can do stand-up comedy! :)
I love Holly. I love you. Art has an art for being a great daddy.
And just yesterday, my dear friend and I spent a few hours together while the cherubs were at school. I shared with her a story about my hubs and how he is a great father...she had tears in her eyes and said "he is a great daddy and a good man". He is. And so is her husband. So thankful to the Lord for men who love and fear Him.
Love you...no foolin'! :)
Another great blog; Your opening up shows us we too could miss God's Plan in our homes. Not always the way that Miss prissy wants it.
I found a way to be organized instead of ribbons tie the cords together. I bought colored pipe cleaners and cut them and matched all the cords to the comptuer by colors and tied them with the pipe cleaners. So if it a printer I cut 2 pipecleaners (blue) one I put on plug to computer part. Then the other I wound up the cord with the (blue). Then switched colors for all the plugs. It helped me feel like I had it neatly together. Also if one came unpluged from me moving to clean around it. I could quickly figure out which one.
I am happy you realized the blessing your husband is. The eyes God gave him for your family.
k,
What a great post - and so humbling, too. Praise God for Holly's awesome insight! And praise God for your alert and godly husband!
Have a wonderful day,
Kate :)
Amen, sister Amen. Keep, keepin it real and speakin the truth!!!
Ha ha! This was so hilarious, I had to comment today! I can certainly relate to the sugar plum visions of having wonderful family time, only to end up with everyone arguing and being sent to their rooms for some solitude. Oh well, thats motherhood! Thanks for the reminder to treasure our husbsands, even when we dont agree, and cant find our halos. :) Smiles.
Listen to Holly, she is wise!! Our computer is in our family room. Out in the openf or everyone to see, but it's in a computer armoire so we can close the door if we have company. But I do not want a computer in my childrens rooms. I want to be able to monitor what they are doing and what sites they are visiting. Great job Holly!!!
I have a hubby just like that too. How blessed we are. And like you, Lysa, I had a dad who didn't care and my step dad is who I refer to as my dad. He was what I envisioned in my little girl head as to what a dad was suppose to be. I miss him terribly.
I agree with you, Lysa, the messy cords make me go into a tizzy. I also a have lived with a husband who was into porn. I had no idea why every time I turned my computer on there were x-rated pictures that showed up. My husband told me that happened to everyone. I complained about that one night at small group and he quickly urged me to be quiet. It was then that I new he was lying. About a month later I walked in on him while viewing this porn. My marriage has never been the same since. He didn't believe he was actually cheating on me. I have finally forgiven but it took a long time and I still don't trust him. He says he's gotten help but I guess God only knows for sure. Thank God for Art putting that out in the open. He's a very wise man.
Lysa, I really, really needed this post today! I have a wonderful godly husband, too, and yet I sometimes gripe and complain about the "little" things he does that aggravage me! I can be so shallow at times! :(
By the way....I sent some letters in the mail yesterday!!! :)
Marilyn
Dear Anonymous,
I have some dear friends who went through exactly what you are going through. Have you ever heard of the Christian singer- Clay Crosse?
I got to know Clay and his wife Renee through some conferences we did together. They have a powerful story of Clay's addiction to pornography and their fight back to save their marriage.
You can read more about them and the book they wrote here:
http://www.holyhomes.org/
Dear Lysa,
Thank you for the reminding me of the book. I have read articles about them and have heard them on the radio. I will buy this. Thank you!
What a great way to look beyond the "I didn't get my way" to see the bigger picture -- and realize you really got what you wanted all along!
Praise the Lord for Godly husbands!
You could always attach a skirt to the table to hide the unsightly cords ... and stick a picture frame (of your man) on the top.
CONVICTION!!!!
I don't care either, ANYMORE!
I will from here on out..stop worrying about stupid stuff like cords and wires showing.
I agree with Art!
Our computer is in our kitchen....for the world to see.
But if we move it....I'm not gonna fuss and act all high and mighty.
Promise.
I do enjoy reading your post! It always amazes me how two people that have never met can have so much in common.
Your Art sounds so much like my David. Thankfully my computer is housed in a computer desk though instead of on top of a game table, that by the way, my kids never used either so now it no longer lives here. They prefer the coffee table in the playroom.
And your "Miss Prissy" is so close to my "Missy Prissy" which is what I call my 8yr old daughter most of the time because that is just what she is! Although, I can't say that I have ever used it when talking about myself even though I'm sure the shoe would diffently fit at times.
Many Blessings from my house to yours!
Amen and amen!
Our recent aesthetics clash was the industrial size (seriously from an industrial plant, a large mental case) first aid box he hung in the laundry room to house all our meds and first aids. It so matches our decor of mental machinery in the laundry room...hahahaha. He joked he could have brought home the eye wash station. NOT! Sometimes you just have to laugh and roll with it.
Oh dear, Lysa... now I'm feeling bad about my electrician husband wanting to put labels on all the different light switches in our house (trust me there are many!) Maybe he just wants us to "see the Light"?!? LOL
I so agree. There are a million things about him that bug me but what I've come to see is that are a million + one things about me he should/could put in a bulleted list. But doesn't. That's a man...after God's own heart. :)
By the way, as an encouragement to all of us...when the Holy Spirit speaks to us through another, like Lysa or anyone else....especially regarding a weakness or sin--something ugly in us--He does it not to slap us around. He doesn't want to overwhelm us with guilt. He's bubbling that thing up to the surface, to make us aware, so that we'll bring it to Him. We can't fix anything. No matter how we try. It's His work in us. Trust it. And I'll do the same.
Fantastic! That makes it a nice contrasting scene on stage. Hey Moms, we dont have to be rigid with our little lassies.
I too have learned not to be so prissy with my hubby and son! We even have a train table in our living room now- who would have ever thought??
That gave me chills, Lysa. Thank you for sharing.
Lysa you are so blessed to have a friend who knows how to tell you what you need, not what you want to hear. Our computer too sits in our den, even though we have a perfectly nice room for an office, which instead is a playroom. I thought my 16 year old would balk at the very idea, since he has been caught on some questionable websites, but instead he loves it being in the middle of everything.
I don't know where he is or when I'm going to find him...but I want a hubby just like ART!
What a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing it with us!
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It's a blessing to see all of the postings of women with children. Thanks for allowing those without children to live through your experiences as a mom. Though biologically, I haven't children, I believe myself to be a mom to many children. My heart rejoices Lysa when I see you and other parents demonstrating the Love Our Father bestows unto us as His children. He is a proud Papa who loves to showcase us Royal Diadem before the nations...we are beautiful jewels for His Crown.(Isaiah 62:3)'The LORD will hold you in his hands for all to see ? a splendid crown in the hands of God.' Mothers everywhere thanks for showcasing your jewels...
In Christ Jesus
~Dolli
Thanks for sharing at the Women Inspired conference. I am sure you were a blessing to all!
I am entering to win the "Learning to Live Finacially Free" book by MaryBeth and would especially love to win any of your books!!
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