Reason Why I Love My Husband #453

  This month in our 4-year-old class at Providence Kids our memory verse has been Matthew 12:34: "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." This past Sunday being our second week with this verse, we were really trying to find ways to make the verse 'click' for the kids. Have you ever tried to explain the word "overflow" to a four-year-old? My sweet husband blew me away with the example he shared with our 4's class. (And I did get his permission to share this.)

  Last week was a rough week for the Franklin household. I was freaking out about our upcoming move and the lack of packing that had yet occurred (and becoming increasingly frustrated by the amount of contractions I was having and their slight increase in strength) and David was tired from working two jobs and sacrificially sleeping on the couch so that I didn't have to deal with his snoring. He was cranky; I was fragile and weepy.

   So David starts trying to explain overflow and how the heart affects the mouth during snack time. This is what he says (I'm tearing up again already):

  "Overflow of the heart" means that what is in your heart comes spilling out. And this verse is saying that what is in your heart will come out your mouth in your words. Have you guys ever had that happen? Like, when your heart isn't good, bad things come out of your mouth? 

  See, this week my heart wasn't in a very good place. My heart was pretty bad. And I said some things to Miss Emily that made her cry. The bad in my heart came out of my mouth and hurt Miss Emily. And when I saw her crying, I realized that my heart was not good and it needed to change - because I don't want to make Miss Emily cry. I love my wife, and when I saw that my heart had made me say words that had hurt her, I realized that my heart needed to change - because what is in my heart will come out in my words.

  Now, I'm honestly not sure if that connected completely with our class full of four-year-old's. I'm pretty sure I saw what might have been comprehension dawn on a few faces - but then, my vision was a little cloudy trying to keep back more tears. My husband's ability to not only admit to me that he was wrong, but his decision to be vulnerable and open and willing to use his mistakes to teach 7 preschoolers absolutely awed me. It has made me thank God for reminding me that even in the tough times He is sovereign and loving. And it once again made my heart overflow with gratitude for the man with whom I am partnered for life and who will be raising up our children.