Roses On Wednesday

Taken from the Live Like You Are Dying Daily Readings ... Week 3; Day 3

The first roses came on a Wednesday when Horton came back into Edna's live after leaving for a season.  He showed up at her doorstep with a dozen roses and his issues resolved, and in her words, "We embraced, and it was all over."

So began the story of a remarkable marriage - average perhaps to most who knew them casually, but remarkable to anyone privileged to get a closer look.  For what one found on the inside observing this could even after 40+ years of marriage was a man supremely delighted with his wife, and a woman supremely happy in the love of her husband.  Had this couple found out they had only one more day together, I honestly don't think much would have changed because they were already living love for each other to the limit.

When I asked Horton if there was a secret to their relationship, he told me the story that has come to be known in my house as "Roses on Wednesday."  Yes see the roses weren't only for that first Wednesday.  They would continue to come every Wednesday for the rest of their lives together.

When it became clear that there was something special about Wednesdays, Edna asked him why.  He told her that Wednesday with her was not just a day to get you one day closer to the weekend; it was simply, a phenomenal day.

King Solomon gave us a similar piece of advice.  "Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.  Rejoice in the wife of your youth" (Proverbs 5:18 NLT).

Horton's secret was to take an ordinary day and use it to express extraordinary love.  And, likewise, Proverbs 5 says that we husbands have a choice to see and treat our wives as a fountain of blessing.  Regardless of the circumstances, I can choose to rejoice in the wife of my youth.

Husbands, remember when you first laid eyes on your wife -- how beautiful she was?  It started with us, and so it continues.  Happy wives have husbands who keep seeing them as beautiful.  And one tangible way to communicate that is to make Wednesday a phenomenal day:  It doesn't have to be a dozen roses.  One works just as well.  And if roses don't work for you, find out what does.  Vary it from week to week.  Believe me, it's a simple gesture with magical results.

And for those of you who aren't married, keep this as an example for when you are.  And in the meantime, do something thoughtful and extraordinary for someone you love.  Don't be afraid to be extravagant.  After all, you never know when will be your last opportunity to bring roses on Wednesday.

Follow Horton's example and you will already be living like you were dying, because you will be demonstrating your love on a regular basis.

Reflection Questions:
1.  When did someone surprise you with extraordinary and extravagant love?

2.  Okay guys, here's the truth:  If you want to take this on as a habit, it doesn't matter that everyone in your church, including your wife, has now been exposed to this concept.  She will still see what you do as something special, unique and full of surprise.  Guaranteed.  So get creative.  Then, pick you day and method ... and just do it.