This is not about my wife

I'm a Brenda ninja.  Brenda's my wife, and we've been married a long time.  I know she was born in Louisville, I know the names of all eight of her brothers and sisters, I know her first car was a Buick, I know her Social Security number, I know she wiggles her toes when she talks, and I know where that birthmark is. 

Not only do I know facts about her, I know she prefers Better Home and Gardens over Southern Living.  I know she hates lies and late afternoons.  I know she loves Pinwheel cookies and sales at Stein Mart.  I know she's graceful, dignified, and fiercely protective of what she believes is best for her family.  I know firsthand her deep well of forgiveness and grace. 

Study all you want, you'll never know what I know about her -- I'm a Brenda ninja.  And you're a someone ninja, too.

But there's more than her facts and her doctrine and her character.  I hold her hand and feel gentleness and acceptance.  When she says hello on the phone I can tell if she's tired, frustrated, at peace, or if something's on her mind -- just from hello.  I can look at her in a crowd and know what she's thinking, and I can finish her sentences (but not always!).  For years I've been soaking up her attitude, demeanor, personality and manner.  She's not like anyone else, and I can pick out her voice and presence even before I've consciously heard or seen her.  You do the same thing with people you love.  And because we know them this well, we are not the same -- they have influenced us.  

That's the other part of knowing the Bible.  There's doctrine and content and facts and the character of God.  And then there's the personality, the demeanor, the temperament as you get to know the author.  You begin to see and feel his attitude and how he thinks -- even though there were many writers over hundreds of years, you eventually hear one person.  It goes beyond the necessary ninja knowledge of teachings and principles to follow.  Spend time in there and as you read you hear his voice, and you begin to soak up that voice and way of thinking and seeing.  And that way of thinking and seeing changes you and becomes part of your influence.

Comments

[Kristen]

This is one of the most beautiful things I've read in a while! I'm an Eric ninja (my husband) and you know, it has always been my heart's desire to be a Jesus ninja. To hear his voice above all else and recognize it immediately.

Awesome post!

[Abbie]

Thanks. I came over from Chatting at the Sky. You've got wonderful daughters (I only know them through their blogs) and I can see where they get it.

[Jenn V]

This is a lovely, thought-provoking post. How I would love to be more of a Jesus ninja.