Let Me Entertain Her

I can still remember a happy morning three years ago when I made my shoulders sore from patting my own back. I felt like a king, a real stud, The Man. And all because I made my wife laugh.

Not a polite giggle, mind you, but belly deep guffaws that had her doing those out of control, helpless spasms that are so beautiful to see.

I don’t even remember what I was saying that brought it on. But I was on some kind of a roll just as we went to bed, and quirky witticisms were flowing even as we turned out the lights. She gushed tears, doubled over, and wailed so loudly that our outraged then-16 year old son barged into the bedroom like a groggy drunk, complaining that we’d woken him from a sound sleep, and asking us to please tone it down.

We completely reversed roles, he stomping back to bed in a parental huff, and us giggling away under the covers, lowering our voices and shushing each other because Dad was in the next room and he was mad and we didn’t want to get reprimanded again. It was ridiculous, silly, wonderful.

I know the things I’m supposed to do as a husband: Love her, protect her, provide for her, lead our home, ravish her and keep her safe emotionally, spiritually, physically. Got it.

But I want her laughing, too, and often.  After all, she is wife, mother, co-laborer in ministry, businesswoman, homemaker, teacher, administrator. Her To-Do list is tyrannical. Now, I don’t think she’s a victim, and I’d wager she’d refer to herself as a happy woman if you asked her. Still, there’s lots of what I call The Gray in her life. I think you know what I mean. Lots of Have-To; tons of Need-It-Today; volumes of messages in the Saved section asking Could-You? She’s busy, she’s trying to keep up, and she’s spread thin.

In all that gray I want to see some bright reds, some yellows, even a little shocking lime green. I don’t just want her happy; I want her amused often and, occasionally, loudly chortling. And if I can be the clown who makes that happen, so much
the better.

We who are married are running a three legged race with a loving partner, pursuing a finish line that is promised yet unseen. In our unified run we strive for godliness, fulfillment of calling, the laying aside of weights that beset us, and keeping the prize before us. Serious business, and may we never take it lightly.

But if possible, right before it’s all over, I hope for a chance to ask Renee, “Please be honest. Was it fun? I know we did what’s right, but did you enjoy it? Did I make it any easier? Was I at all interesting?”

Oh, I hope so.  And when we cross the finish line together, my earnest prayer, like yours, is that we hear Him say “Well done, good and faithful servants.”

But ya know – I’d also really, really love it if, at that point, He pulled me aside
and said,

“By the way, Kid, I loved your one-liners! Thanks for putting that smile on her face.”