Simply Blooming Grace

Got an iced cold drink today?

It was blazing hot outside.

There were a bazillion kids running around. Screaming and playing on bounce houses. Playing on the backyard playground. Of course they were asking for water, snacks, and whatever else was an emergency. My kids were having a blast, but I was on my last thread.

I had made it to the family member’s birthday party, but I was exhausted. 

Running on fumes.

Shell of a human being, and overstimulated to the max.

My dream birthday present? An uninterrupted nap.

I couldn’t even get out of the chair I was in—because I was nursing a two month old who hadn’t let me sleep more than three hours at a time.

My husband’s work schedule was crazy —and I was a make do single mom 5 days a week to 5 kids. We did what we had to do to pay the bills in this season, but it was lonely.

So there I was— in a chair. 

Cranky, hot, and sweaty.

But then my husband showed up. Still in his work clothes from night shift, hitting the party before having to turn around and go right back to work.

Across the way, he could see I was in one of my special moods and frizzy hair with a cranky heart and bags under my eyes— I snapped at him that I needed food and a drink.

Was I happy about how I acted? 

Of course, not.

But it was what it was. 

I couldn’t just flip a switch and not be miserable. There wasn’t a joy juice concoction that was going to fix the postpartum or stress in a second. 

I felt everything and nothing all at the same time.

But his response stated the reason I had picked him in the first place. 

He got me a plate with food—and a party cup with my name on it. And then I paused and smiled for the first time genuinely that day. 

He hadn’t just written my name on it. 

He had added the words that made me remember the precious moment of him putting that ring on my finger eight years ago,

“Rachel, my wife.”

I wasn’t a pretty bride today.

I wasn’t glowing with Jesus radiance like when I was in the Word writing a new devotional book.

I didn’t have the best shape body or energy like when I had walked three miles a day.

I didn’t have that giggle like when I was in a really good mood— or the motivation to pull myself together to have self care.

I was a sweaty, stressed, slob of a woman.

And he showed me he still chose that girl just as much as the pretty bride almost a decade earlier.

It might just be a cup to someone.

But to me, it was a reminder that I was still a lovely and important somebody to him.

Rachel Redlin is a columnist, author, journalist, and award-winning radio host. She lives in Northwest Kansas with her husband and five children, where she writes about faith, food, and the simple everyday life. Want to read more or contact us? You can subscribe to the FREE newsletter at www.simplybloominggrace.com

Want some help with where to start? We’ve chosen a few items to encourage and equip you to stay cool this summer and warm in your hearts. Click the links below to find out more!

Have you read our latest book release? Check out and read The Well today!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Simply Blooming Grace. You can read our privacy and security policy HERE.