Lessons Steve Irwin Style, Part 2  (Part 1 is just below)

I’ve been pondering men and women, and the roles each play within a marriage.  You and I both know there are immense amounts of opinions and information available from both sides of the aisle. 

Every once in awhile you run across a couple who perfectly complement each other, who beautifully portray the blending that God designed.

I spent time with my sister this past week.  She and I live about 16 hours apart, so usually only see each other once a year.  She is 8 years my elder.

She’s not had a perfect life – in fact, it has been filled with many painful things.  And yet, I really enjoy watching her with her husband.  He is an outdoorsman, to say the least.  His walls are filled with “he-man” things…stuffed deer heads, geese, arrows carved by his own hand, sportsmanship trophies.  He can cook anything Cajun, tan his own Buffalo hide, and made their bed from rough hewn logs.  And yet, he cares for my sister tenderly and thoughtfully.  If she needs anything – he makes it for her….from food to flower arrangements to a cheese press to etched plates for their anniversary.

And my sister.  She is another “can do” soul.  She wears camoflage and work boots most of the time – but she plays the piano and hand sewed her own velvet and satin wedding dress.  She takes top honors at archery, but never brags.  She can outfish most men, but I notice that she makes a point not to. She cooks, crochets, knits, cares for her grandbaby and dotes on her husband.  When he cooked for the family this week, I observed that she paid careful attention – bringing him ingredients just as he needed them, grabbing the proper knife before he even asked. She even brought him tea while he chopped…with just the right amount of sugar for a southern boy.  She’s his right hand.

But he honors and loves and serves her, too.

My brother in law, Terry, recently came through a frightening time with the skin cancer, Melanoma.  He had a stage 4 tumor on his shoulder, and was told by the doctor that he had less than a year to live.  We prayed, she stood by his side, and God healed.  The melanoma never entered his lymph system and he has been given a reprieve.  They are closer than ever, grateful for another chance, for more time.  I’m pretty sure they’ve never studied the “way” things are supposed to be between men and women…they just do it.  They live as individuals with strong interests; but totally for each other, and together for God.

Not to put too much emphasis on Steve and Terri Irwin – for they are simply humans – but while watching them on 20/20 last night I saw much of the same thing.  Terri told how she had her own life before Steve…a wildlife rescue foundation.  Her family was in Oregon.  Her whole life was there.  But when Steve asked her to marry him, she considered it all and said, “yes.”  His life became hers.  She didn’t shrink back and become less, her life became absolutely engulfed and wrapped up in his.  Because of that, her life expanded, increased.  She dove right in the mud with him – wore the same khakis and wrestled the same critters.  She didn’t take over – but she certainly was his helper.  Their relationship was beautiful to watch.  She called him “my Prince.”

It was horribly sad to see this woman alone, without her mate.  Her grief ran so deep, I could feel it in the pit of my stomach.  Those who love much, grieve much.  Those who have much to lose, value what they DO have, and mourn it when it is gone.

What I take from this is that our relationships won’t all look the same; and yet, as Christians, they can all be pleasing to God.  They can be beautiful and a reflection of His glory whether wearing ruffles and lace or khaki and camoflauge.  To be given the opportunity to walk alongside a good man and share his life and to sense his needs and to raise his children and be engulfed in his work is indeed a fulfilling, worthy thing.  It is a blessed thing.  If you have this, give it your best.  Don’t take it for granted. 

Wear khaki if necessary.