Lesson Learned

I should know better. Why do I still make bets with Ashley?

We have a tradition during any major horse race to each pick a horse that we think is going to win. In the event of today’s Preakness, I chose “Bodemeister” and Ashley chose “I’ll Have Another”. The deal was that the winner would receive a twenty minute backrub and the loser would have to deep clean the shower. The stakes were high!

The bell rang, the gates opened, and Bodemeister charged to the front of the pack. He led at the quarter mark, half-way point, and was in a great position as they rounded the final turn and headed for the home stretch. I was perched about two feet from the television, feeling confident, and yelling encouragement at my horse.  I was all but ready to turn to Ashley and hand her the scrubbing brush when I noticed her horse make a move to the outside. “I’ll Have Another” showed that the race wasn’t over as he began to close the gap. By now, it was a two horse race as they approached the finish. Ashley and I were both on our feet, jumping up and down, and yelling quite loudly. Then, it happened….again. Ashley won another bet as her horse won by a nose. I fell to the ground in utter disbelief as Ashley began to high step around our living room in joyous celebration.

Watching Ashley celebrate her victory reminded me of all of the other times I’ve seen her do the same victory dance. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve had to watch her celebrate victory over me several times. She beat me—quite badly—in tennis a few weeks ago. Then, there were the two previous put-put golf match ups where she won both times in miraculous fashion, including about a forty foot hole in one that never would have found the cup without Divine intervention.

I used to think she was lucky, but I’m convinced there’s more to it than that. I believe she’s favored. In fact, I think she is one of God’s favorites.  She always shrugs it off and laughs at me when I tell her that she must be God’s favorite child.

All joking aside, it is powerful to remember who I am married to. I really did marry God’s daughter, and he is crazy about her. We didn’t meet by accident, but rather God brought us together and entrusted me to love and care for something so precious to him. As Dr. Doug Weiss states, “God is not just your Father…He’s your Father-In-Law!”

I paused recently to ask God a simple question: “How am I doing at loving your daughter?” I think it’s a question he likes. I believe he'll quickly answer anyone who dares to ask. Ultimately, the way I treat his daughter is the way I’m treating him.

That’s something I must not forget…Along with the consequences of making any kind of bet with one of God's favorite daughters.