Accepting the One You’re With

Some people go nuts over movie stars. I have a friend who if she has a star-siting becomes embarrassing. Well, folks I’m like that when I meet authors. I get a little crazy, okay… I’ve embarrassed my husband on numerous occasions.

Does your spouse ever embarrass you?

Let’s not talk about when I met Dr. Gary Smalley.

And what’s funny about this is that I have friends who are authors, and I too have my first book coming out titled From Me to We in 2017, and yet, I get star struck when I meet authors.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for writers who help people, and especially, help me. When I have the opportunity to meet authors I respect, I lose it a bit.

Friend, as you may have already guessed, this happened recently.

Heartbroken, after dropping our son off at college and saying goodbye to our grand baby who lives in another state, my husband and I were sitting in a Dallas airport, when none other than Dr. Henry Cloud walks to our terminal. If you don’t know of him, he’s one of the authors of the bestselling book Boundaries. I just finished his excellent book titled The Law of Happiness.

“Honey, look who that is! It’s Dr. Henry Cloud!” I was beside myself with excitement!

I ran over to Dr. Cloud, yes, I literally ran. I know, I know, I’m embarrassing already…my poor husband.

“Dr. Cloud, Dr. Cloud, I just finished your book The Secret to Happiness.”

“Do you mean The Law of Happiness?”

“Yes. That one. I loved it!”

That’s when Mike walked over and shook his hand, and I’m sure it was then Dr. Cloud realized I wasn’t a stalker. My husband ended our short talk with, “Thank you for your work, you’ve helped so many people.”

He walked away, and Mike and I sat back down.

“Honey, can you believe we met Dr. Henry Cloud!”

I looked up and Dr. Cloud was standing in front of us. Oh no, did he hear me?

If he did, he didn’t indicate so, “Hey, I don’t know how it works here in DFW but at LAX I can bring guests to [and he named some special club he belongs to but I can’t remember the name of it]. I’ve got some work to do but would you like to join me as my guests?”

Mike began to answer when I jumped in with, “We’d love to!”

When we arrived at the “club” he told the lady behind the counter we were his guests. And. We. Were. In. Awesome! With that he turned to us, told us to enjoy ourselves and that he had work to do. He went on one side of the establishment and we went the other way. (Did you think I was going to follow him? Come on, I’m not that clueless. At least not this time.)

Mike and I got some food and sat down at a table for two. I was bubbling over with enthusiasm, “Mike, I can’t believe we met Dr. Henry Cloud! I can’t wait to tell the kids!”

I look up and there was Dr. Cloud standing beside our table. Oh no, did he hear me this time? I really need to pay more attention to my surroundings.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes. Excellent. Thank you!”

It was so incredibly wonderful to find out that he and his books lined up. In other words, he lived what he wrote. So refreshing and inspirational! He even treated us like we were friends until we departed for home at LAX.

For me, this encounter was much more than just meeting an author who I respect. Remember I said we were heartbroken? And we were. If you’ve ever dropped a child off at college or had to leave a grandchild in another state, you know what I’m talking about.

When was the last time you were heartbroken?

I was heartbroken. It was as if God said, “It’s going to be okay.” Really, I’m not kidding. God knows how much I love meeting authors, and God knew this would bring joy and excitement to a sorrowful time. It was as if God was saying, “Your new season, your new adventure, is going to be exciting. You can trust this new season.” Instead of sitting in an airport sad and broken, God sent an adventure and it was thrilling. This is not to say that I haven’t since had my cry-fests. I certainly have. But not that day.

I would also like to point out that my husband never said, “Honey, calm down.”

Or, “Chill out!”

Or, “Why are you acting so ridiculous?”

He allowed me to be me, embarrassing and all. Sometimes we need to embrace our spouse with their flaws, awkwardness, quirkiness, silliness and all. And believe you me, I’m all of those things. He puts up with me, and this is a reminder I need to accept him too. Does your spouse accept all of your idiosyncrasies? Do you accept theirs?

We need to offer that which we would like to receive.

Until next time, accept each other, flaws and all.

Blessings to you, my friend!

Fondly,

Lu

Order of copy of Lucille Williams book “From Me to We” and give your marriage a boost. Let’s be friends, give us your email address in the subscribe button.