Thankful Thursdays - Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition

I keep thinking of the things I am thankful for and every time right up there with salvation is my family. My wife and two daughters. They are worth every sacrifice, every drop of sweat, and everything I can and will do in my life.

And thankfulness includes giving up certain things. Not just because as a follower of Christ I am commanded to (you'll understand in a moment), but because of my family and what they mean to me.

I subscribe to Sports Illustrated and one of the most anticipated issues is the annual swimsuit issue. Men you know what I am talking about.

So my wife calls me right before I left for work yesterday and told me my "porn" magazine had arrived. I was a little confused to say the least, and then she explained to me what she meant. I have to admit, that there was a part of me that really wanted to see that issue. And it was waiting for me when I got home.

I opened it and saw a glance of one of the pictures and closed it again. I couldn't do it. What kind of message would that send to my daughters? That for them to get attention from a guy they would have to look like the women in the magazine, or dress (or undress) like them? Would they think that their self-esteem or self-worth had to come from being like that, looking like that, dressing like that?

And how would my wife feel if I started looking at the women in it? I know what I would think if she looked at well tanned, buff and cut guys in skimpy outfits. I want to have more respect for my wife than that, and not only tell her, but try and show her and my daughters what a true, loving husband and father can be like. I may not have had one growing up, but I want to be one.

I threw it in the trash and covered it up with the other garbage.

So I am starting off this particular type of posting then, this Thankful Thursday, by saying I am thankful for my wife and daughters, and their love for me.