A Window of Perspective

This was the scene outside my kitchen window earlier this week. A rare moment in which my coach and I were able to watch all 3 kiddos playing together.

I say "rare," not because we haven't spent the past 5 weeks together. (So. Together.) But because, even in the midst of "togetherness," we have spent a good bit of time cleaning up, cleaning out, breaking up fights, separating children during arguments, forcing apologies, doing yard work, wiping down groceries, and so many "things" to fill our time.

This moment was unique in that all the children were playing well together and my husband and I were in the same spot, at the same time, to witness it. If the moment wasn't enough to catch me off guard and cause a lump in my throat...my husband's words were: "When I found out we were having boys, I thought, 'I will make ball players.' That was my first thought. Turning those boys into young men who knew how to field a ground ball, hustle, make good plays. But now. It's just different. I mean, I want them to do well at sports, if that's what they want. But most of all, I want them to know how to work hard. Regardless of the outcome. I want them to be honest and good and fair. More than being good ball players, I want them to be good men...good dads. It's just so different from what I thought it would be."

And, as quickly as the moment began...it ended. He had said what was on his mind, and went back to preparing whatever we were grilling that night. It was that moment, so far, that I have been most grateful for this time of quarantine. To not only capture a moment in my mind...but to hear the heart of my husband and to allow the Lord to use his words to capture my heart...again. Don't get me wrong. There have been moments that it was time for him to go cut the field. Mama needed a little space. Y'all know how it is. But, in this moment, I was reminded that years of coaching thousands of kids has, in fact, made my husband an amazing daddy. And, years of marriage and the work of the Holy Spirit have, in fact, made him an amazing husband. I just have to look for the moments and listen for the evidence of what God has done in his heart. And I am so thankful. I want to encourage you, today, to listen and look for those things, too. You will be so glad you did. ❤️

((ps--Yes, that's spray paint. And there may or may not have been a boxcutter involved at some point. They were supervised(ish) and no children (or their brains) were harmed in the making of that cardboard box house. Survival, y'all. Quarantine week 5. 😎))

Katie Edwards is a coach’s wife of 14 years. Her husband, Jamison, is the Head Baseball Coach and Football Offensive Coordinator for Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, AL. Katie is passionate about Women’s Ministry and sharing God’s Word through her YouTube and Facebook ministry, Truth By Light. She also loves a good gift boutique, which led her to her work-from-home job as a Director at Initial Outfitters. In her “free time” (whatever that is, right?) she thoroughly enjoys hanging out with their 3.5 kids (the 4th and “final” one due in June, and is the only one who never talks back…for now). Katie’s favorite part of Coach Wife Life is, hands-down, the friendships and always, always, having someone in your corner who “gets it”… but the occasional free concession stand snack doesn’t hurt either.