"a woman's answer to a man's question"

by lena lathrop

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing

Ever made by the hand above--
A woman's heart, and a woman's life
And a woman's wonderful love?

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy,
Demanding what others have died to win,
With the reckless dash of a boy?

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Man-like you have questioned me;
Now stand at the bar of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart to be true as God's stars,
And as pure as heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef;
I require a far better thing.
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts;
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called home,
And a man that the maker, God,
Shall look upon as he did the first
And say, "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose will fade
From my soft, young cheek one day,
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,
As you did 'mid the bloom of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give all this, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot do this -- a laundress and cook
You can hire, with little to pay,
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.

"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman..." --1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)

ladies, DO NOT GIVE UP.

believe in the man that will hold your heart close to his - treasuring it, learning it, guarding it, nurturing it.

believe.

matilda

Sometimes I listen to a specific song I'm craving, sometimes I listen to an artist or band that intrigues me, sometimes I listen to full albums, sometimes I listen to playlists, sometimes I listen to music that matches my mood, and sometimes I skip the preliminaries and just hit "shuffle."

yesterday was one such day.

As I drove down the I75 through Illinois, I had my family in tow, some pringles at my fingertips, head phones in tact, and music going song by song to pass the time.

As if planned by God, three songs came on in consecutive order that changed everything for me. When linked together, they portrayed such a message - I could not ignore it.

Better Days - Goo Goo Dolls

"and the one poor child who saved this world

and there's ten million more who probably could

if we all just stopped and said a prayer for them"

Meant to Live - Switchfoot

"we were meant to live for so much more,

have we lost ourselves?"

Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

"take this sinking boat and point it home,

we've still got time"

I was suddenly overwhelmed with shame and guilt. I could be doing something notable, something great, something helpful. But I'm not. At least, I wasn't.

It was then that I decided to sponsor a child in an underprivileged country. As soon as I got to a computer, I logged on and chose my little girl.

Her name is MATILDA. She is five years old and she lives in a rural farming community in Ghana, Africa. Matilda loves to sing. By donating a dollar a day, I will provide food, clothes, and education for this precious girl who would otherwise go without.

It's interesting: I find that I hit "shuffle" on my ipod when I'm indifferent, bored, or lazy. As if I have no preference. It makes me feel as though I am shuffling through life - without a preference, without a plan, walking slowly with heavy steps, rather than skipping or dancing through life as it's supposed to be.

But I was convicted -- I am meant to be more that mediocre. And I was reminded -- I still have TIME to DO something. Even if you're not out changing the world, you can still contribute to changing ONE person's world. And isn't that part of making the difference that you long to make? Isn't that a start?

Join today and give a child HOPE.

"happy."

Today was beach day, or in other words, a good day. I finally whipped out my new straw hat, I applied the sun tan lotion, I packed the lunches, grabbed the towels, made the soundtrack, and off we went - me and my boy.

I often have epiphanies on really good days. I think this is because I am able to see things the way my heart longs to see things - purely - without the frustrations of life trying to sabotage my vision. I open myself up and soak in my surroundings in hopes of gaining new perspectives, new inspiration, new cleansing, and new ideas. Today, it was a revelation about the little moments.

For instance, Ben, although anxious to listen to his brand new cd, happily conceded to my showing him my "current top 3 songs that make me close my eyes and just sing." For instance, Ben quickly taking the cooler from me when he looked over to see me carrying it. For instance, Ben laughing/making fun of my weird habits, but laughing that I-actually-like-that-about-you laugh. For instance, kissing on the beach and feeling oh-so One Tree Hill-esque. For instance, simple small talk while laying on our towels in the sun. For instance, falling asleep in the car on the way home...and waking up to find my boyfriend holding my hand. For instance, enjoying Ben's horrified facial expressions when I got him to believe something completely unbelievable. For instance, knowing Ben would order a blooming onion at outback, and being really happy I didn't have to ask for it.

The little moments are the important moments.

In those moments I'm reminded that beyond the affection and the adoration, Ben is my best friend...and we truly have fun together. When discussing this tonight with my dearest Mikayla, she asked me,

"where's your heart, d?"

"happy," I say.

...for that's all that matters.

...that's the most important thing.

in the end, the "timeless romance" that is our dream may just end up being that "faithful friendship" that we always need.

"romance eventually fades. it doesn't raise kids or pay bills. but best friends? they can figure that out." - mikayla nicole :)