It's been a weird year for our family and we haven't seen a whole lot of Charlie. He has been away from us about 90% of the time. During this year apart, I have learned more about the heart of my man than all the years before. I have seen him endure hard times, and do hard things throughout our 30 years together, but this year he has shown up, working 1000 miles away, with more sacrificial love than I thought was possible.
Charlie lives and loves selflessly, generously, and works tirelessly. He loves sacrificially, he is a defender and a provider. Charlie loves and cares for many close to him and around the world.
Charlie is a builder by trade. He can build anything and everything. Everything he builds is built to last. He builds strong and beautiful. We don't have a house to call our own right now, and it seems a little (or a lot) strange, but I know my man is building something for this family that will last for eternity. I trust the work God is doing in and thru this man of mine.
Most guys his age, in this business are slowing down a bit, getting a little more comfortable, maybe relying on the lifetime career and experience they have built up over the years to give them some security and a bit of a cushion. Not my man, he is still hard at it. I guess you could say according to the world, Charlie has been foolish and made some pretty costly decisions, but according to the Bible, he has been a Kingdom builder, building on a sure foundation that will last forever.
Hebrews 3:4 New Living Translation (NLT)
4 For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.
I pray we do get to live in a house that Charlie builds for us again someday, but even if we don't, I know he has been building and investing for this family into a Kingdom that is amazing and forever.Luke 14:27-2927 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you.
Throughout his 56 years, Charlie has been given a lot of talent and had many ambitions, and he has the mind and body to bring it all together to great success, but every time he gets the chance to do something great for himself, he gives it away, he lays it down, he steps aside. His heart overrides his bright mind and his strong body and he lives for the LOVE that costs him everything.
If Charlie never builds another thing on this earth or if he gets the opportunity to build his biggest and best project yet....the work he has done and continues to do will survive. God has done a work in my man's heart and it is a lifetime project being worked by the Master Builder. The "project" can get a little messy sometimes (mostly by me), but I see what God is building and I love what I see.
1 Corinthians 3:12-14 New Living Translation (NLT)12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.
I don't know about you, but I see lots of rewards surrounding this man already!
I have looked over the last year of pictures and all I see is a man serving his family and loving them well. I see a man that loves Jesus and will travel the world to learn more about Him. I see a man that is smart and strong and humble. I see a man that gives everything he has ever been given to benefit others!
Love is not blind!
I see you Bofriend and I know Jesus sees you too!
Happy Birthday!
Keep building! Keep up the good and important work that lasts forever!
