My Husband Rocks
I've been waiting a long time to do this post. I had to get permission from Matt first and he finally told me last night that I could share this.
12 years ago when I met Matt he had a little secret. We still debate today on whether or not I knew in the beginning or found out after we got married (too late!) As the years went by, I began to wonder how this issue was going to affect our marriage. Not ready to approach him about it, I continued to live life and ignore it. About 3 years ago I got serious about approaching Matt on this. I started by dropping subtle hint (yeah right) and complaining a lot about it. I threatened him, gave him ultimatums and started many arguments about this. He promised to deal with it after Sarabeth was born. 1 year later, nothing. Then I began to pray and God answered. February 7th 2009 at approximately 12:39 a.m., my sweet husband came upstairs and got me out of bed. He took me downstairs and out onto the back patio. He sat me down and said "I have something for you. I've been wanting to give it to you for a long time. I want you to watch something." I am sooo tired and not in the mood for jokes at all, but I love gifts and I couldn't wait to see what he had for me!" Then he pulled out a cigarette and said, "I want you to watch me smoke my very last cigarette." Are you kidding me?? I never dreamed this day would come, but I hoped and prayed. I just thought one day he would say he quit, but to ask me to be a part of something so huge in his life meant everything to me. Matt never did smoke in front of me or in front of anyone unless he was at work or with his friends that smoked. I wanted so bad to do something to make him quit. I later realized that there was nothing I could do. I knew God had a plan for my husband and our family and I left it all up to Him. I'm so thankful for a husband that listens to God's tug on his heart and follows obediently. The last 3 weeks have been really tough on Matt. I sat and watched him stir in anxiety and fight through the urges. He says they are mostly gone now, and he's able to cope a lot easier.
I know this habit has held Matt back from lots of things and made him feel inadequate when teaching to Word of God to his peers and counseling friends on issues. Now he is free from the stronghold that smoking had on him.
I am so proud of Matt. This was the best gift I could have ever been given. Although it was so hard watching him smoke that night, my heart was so full of joy to know he loves his family (and himself) enough to quit. The Landes household is much happier these days!
12 years ago when I met Matt he had a little secret. We still debate today on whether or not I knew in the beginning or found out after we got married (too late!) As the years went by, I began to wonder how this issue was going to affect our marriage. Not ready to approach him about it, I continued to live life and ignore it. About 3 years ago I got serious about approaching Matt on this. I started by dropping subtle hint (yeah right) and complaining a lot about it. I threatened him, gave him ultimatums and started many arguments about this. He promised to deal with it after Sarabeth was born. 1 year later, nothing. Then I began to pray and God answered. February 7th 2009 at approximately 12:39 a.m., my sweet husband came upstairs and got me out of bed. He took me downstairs and out onto the back patio. He sat me down and said "I have something for you. I've been wanting to give it to you for a long time. I want you to watch something." I am sooo tired and not in the mood for jokes at all, but I love gifts and I couldn't wait to see what he had for me!" Then he pulled out a cigarette and said, "I want you to watch me smoke my very last cigarette." Are you kidding me?? I never dreamed this day would come, but I hoped and prayed. I just thought one day he would say he quit, but to ask me to be a part of something so huge in his life meant everything to me. Matt never did smoke in front of me or in front of anyone unless he was at work or with his friends that smoked. I wanted so bad to do something to make him quit. I later realized that there was nothing I could do. I knew God had a plan for my husband and our family and I left it all up to Him. I'm so thankful for a husband that listens to God's tug on his heart and follows obediently. The last 3 weeks have been really tough on Matt. I sat and watched him stir in anxiety and fight through the urges. He says they are mostly gone now, and he's able to cope a lot easier.
I know this habit has held Matt back from lots of things and made him feel inadequate when teaching to Word of God to his peers and counseling friends on issues. Now he is free from the stronghold that smoking had on him.
I am so proud of Matt. This was the best gift I could have ever been given. Although it was so hard watching him smoke that night, my heart was so full of joy to know he loves his family (and himself) enough to quit. The Landes household is much happier these days!
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-Kyle