The Most Interesting Man In The World

I always dreamed I’d marry someone like my father. He was exciting, daring, curious, charismatic, and not afraid of anything. I was convinced he walked on water and was pretty sure there was no one out there who could hold a candle to him.

And then came Wolf.

One evening early in our marriage on a flight home from Atlanta I woke up from a nap midway through the trip and noticed him hard at work on a yellow pad. I leaned over to see what he was doing and he hunched over the page, shielding it from my eyes. Now, too intrigued even to respect the privacy of my new husband I begged to see what he was doing. After repeated attempts to peel his fingers off the pad, he finally relented and bashfully showed me what he’d been working on.

Before continuing, it’s probably only fair to tell you that I married “The Most Interesting Man in the World”. No, I mean THE GUY. Both sides of this guy’s brain fire on all cylinders as he goes through life as a business owner, a competitive athlete, chef, adventurer, sculptor, and so many other things. Our daughter says he’s the kind of guy you want to be with when you’re in a real jam because he will just simply get you out of it.

His appetite for adventure and travel were two things that particularly attracted me from the gate. Like my dad, there seemed to be no end to what he’d done or would do. Before we met, this Indiana Jones had experienced a lot of unusual things, exposing himself to a side of life most only see on a beer commercial or read about in a magazine. He had stared down the barrel of an Afghani nomad’s rifle in Band-e-Amir over a fifty cent dispute on his horse. He had paddled with a pod of dolphins a thousand strong while kayaking off Espiritu Santu. He photographed rhinos in the Brahmaputra from the back of an elephant. He once circumvented the entire shoreline of the largest lake in Bali, water skiing so long his fingers couldn’t hold a pen the next day to sign his name. Out of respect for the atoll’s custom, he once ate the heart of a tuna given to him by a Tuamotoan woman while it was still beating. He made mango crepes while 30-foot waves crashed over the bow of the sailboat on which he and his buddies crossed the Atlantic Ocean. He had eaten thousand year old eggs in China, crickets in India, and salamanders in Hong Kong.

But I digress. Back to the yellow pad.

At the top he had written “Things To Do Before I Die”. It started off with
1. Explore Patagonia.
2. Kayak around the islands on the Sea of Cortez.

Okay. Sounds like him. He continued:

3. Sleep on the crater floor at Uhuru Peak.
4. Take Sylvia down the Baja peninsula in the van.
5. Be a greeter at my church.

Wait… what?

The list went on:
6. Enter the Molokai Challenge.
7. Build a house for someone who doesn’t have one.

Whoa, whoa… what was that last thing?

Buried in a list of things typically featured in outdoor magazines were two little pearls. Easy to miss, but oh, so telling. Those two pedestrian items were placed right alongside things on which adventure movies are made but they told me more about the soul of this man than anything I read that night.

Since that day some of these things have been done (I highly recommend the drive down Baja, by the way; EPIC).

The economy has tightened though and we are using our scarce dollars in other ways, suspending his quest to finish the list for now.  But his unquenchable zest to live life to the fullest hasn’t been snuffed out and besides, he’s begun to make a new list:

1. Start every morning in the Word.
2. Adopt an older adult with no kids of her own.
3. Pray my daughter will want nothing more or less than what God wants for her life.

Although initially attracted to his daring spirit, it is now his gentleness, generous heart, and commitment to God that draws me to him the most. Today, I think he’s way more interesting than ‘The Most Interesting Man In the World”!

So what’s the point of going on and on about Wolf? None really. I just like to talk about him.

But I do think we all need our very own bucket list. Life’s so short, why not dream BIG and commit ink to goals that will supercharge the few years we have on this planet? Our lists shouldn’t only include things that require money we don’t have or personality traits we don’t possess. What would happen if our list reflected a change in the definition of what interesting is? What if our list demonstrated a focused effort to pour into the lives of others? Bob Goff says it simply: “Love does“. To be the mom who raises kids who know they are loved, the teen who spends free time with seniors who have no one else, the business professional who pushes a competitor forward, the family who makes room for a foster child, the secretary who buys a bag of groceries for the co-worker who is struggling, the unemployed person who sponsors a 3rd world child, the busy dad who takes an 15 extra minutes to mow the difficult neighbor’s lawn, the single guy who volunteers a Sunday a month in the nursery… these are the places where character lives.

So do tell… what’s on your bucket list?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23

 

 

Sylvia Lange is a Christian women’s speaker who lives in Southern California.

Read Sylvia’s other posts, and LIKE her on Facebook!

65 thoughts on “The Most Interesting Man In The World”

  1. First of all I would like to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question which I’d
    like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your head prior to writing.
    I’ve had trouble clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out.
    I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like
    the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any
    suggestions or hints? Kudos!

  2. I’m commenting to make you understand of the useful encounter my girl had going through your web page. She picked up a good number of things, which included how it is like to possess an ideal teaching character to let men and women really easily have an understanding of chosen grueling subject areas. You actually exceeded her desires. I appreciate you for providing such valuable, trusted, informative as well as unique tips on your topic to Ethel.

  3. I intended to post you the bit of observation to finally say thanks a lot again for all the amazing techniques you have discussed above. It is simply tremendously open-handed of you in giving publicly exactly what a few individuals would’ve supplied as an electronic book to help with making some money for their own end, most importantly considering the fact that you could possibly have tried it in case you wanted. Those good tips likewise worked like the fantastic way to be sure that the rest have a similar keenness like my own to grasp much more with regards to this problem. I think there are many more fun sessions ahead for many who view your site.

  4. I’m also commenting to make you understand of the superb experience my friend’s daughter undergone viewing your blog. She learned a lot of details, with the inclusion of what it is like to possess an ideal teaching heart to let folks very easily fully grasp chosen multifaceted matters. You actually exceeded our own desires. I appreciate you for providing these informative, safe, informative and also cool tips on your topic to Mary.

  5. Thanks for each of your effort on this website. My mother take interest in conducting investigation and it’s obvious why. My partner and i know all regarding the lively means you make good strategies through your blog and as well as welcome contribution from other people about this subject then our favorite daughter is truly studying a great deal. Have fun with the rest of the new year. You’re the one performing a glorious job.

  6. I would like to express my appreciation to this writer for bailing me out of such a problem. As a result of browsing through the the net and getting advice which are not helpful, I assumed my life was over. Existing without the presence of answers to the issues you’ve solved by way of this article content is a crucial case, and the kind which might have negatively affected my entire career if I hadn’t come across the website. The understanding and kindness in dealing with all areas was invaluable. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t discovered such a step like this. I can also at this time relish my future. Thank you so much for your specialized and effective guide. I will not hesitate to suggest your blog post to any individual who will need support about this subject.

  7. I needed to create you the very small observation in order to thank you the moment again for these stunning secrets you have featured at this time. It is quite strangely open-handed with you to convey openly just what a number of people might have advertised for an electronic book in making some money for their own end, certainly now that you might have done it in case you decided. The strategies also served as a easy way to recognize that many people have similar zeal just as mine to understand a lot more around this condition. I am certain there are millions of more enjoyable occasions in the future for folks who looked over your blog post.

  8. I precisely wanted to appreciate you yet again. I am not sure the things that I could possibly have undertaken without the type of creative ideas shared by you over my industry. Entirely was an absolute intimidating situation for me, however , coming across the well-written mode you managed the issue forced me to cry over fulfillment. I am just grateful for your support and as well , trust you comprehend what a great job you’re doing instructing others by way of a blog. Probably you haven’t come across any of us.

  9. I have to express some thanks to the writer for bailing me out of this trouble. Because of searching throughout the world-wide-web and obtaining principles that were not powerful, I was thinking my entire life was gone. Living without the presence of strategies to the difficulties you have solved through your entire blog post is a serious case, as well as the kind that could have in a wrong way affected my career if I had not come across your blog post. Your good training and kindness in handling every item was very useful. I am not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t discovered such a solution like this. I’m able to at this point look forward to my future. Thanks very much for the high quality and effective help. I won’t think twice to propose your web sites to any individual who needs guidelines about this issue.

  10. My husband and i ended up being peaceful Ervin could do his investigation by way of the ideas he had from your own weblog. It is now and again perplexing to simply always be handing out strategies most people might have been making money from. And we all acknowledge we have got you to give thanks to because of that. The explanations you have made, the simple site menu, the relationships your site make it easier to create – it’s mostly sensational, and it’s really aiding our son and us do think that theme is pleasurable, and that’s exceedingly mandatory. Many thanks for everything!

  11. Thank you so much for providing individuals with remarkably nice opportunity to read in detail from this blog. It’s usually very lovely and as well , packed with a great time for me personally and my office acquaintances to visit the blog not less than thrice in 7 days to learn the fresh things you have. And definitely, I am also actually amazed with the cool principles you serve. Some 4 ideas in this post are unquestionably the very best I have ever had.

  12. I am also commenting to make you be aware of what a nice discovery my wife’s princess undergone browsing your web site. She learned a lot of things, including what it is like to have an amazing helping character to have other people just know just exactly a number of complex matters. You actually exceeded our desires. Thank you for churning out these invaluable, dependable, educational and also cool tips on your topic to Emily.

  13. Good post. I study something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It should always be stimulating to learn content from other writers and practice just a little something from their store. I抎 desire to use some with the content material on my blog whether you don抰 mind. Natually I抣l provide you with a hyperlink on your net blog. Thanks for sharing.

  14. Thanks for each of your effort on this blog. My mom really likes conducting investigations and it’s easy to see why. My partner and i know all of the lively means you convey precious strategies via the web site and as well as invigorate response from visitors on the concept then my girl is starting to learn a great deal. Enjoy the remaining portion of the new year. You are always conducting a first class job.

  15. I and also my pals happened to be reading the nice advice located on the blog then before long got a horrible suspicion I never expressed respect to the web site owner for those strategies. The women happened to be absolutely thrilled to read them and already have absolutely been using them. Appreciate your indeed being so considerate and for obtaining these kinds of awesome issues most people are really needing to learn about. My very own sincere apologies for not expressing appreciation to sooner.

  16. I together with my guys were actually checking the best tactics from your site and so all of the sudden I got a terrible suspicion I had not thanked the blog owner for those tips. Most of the young boys became excited to read through all of them and have very much been tapping into those things. Appreciate your really being well kind and then for pick out variety of impressive resources most people are really desirous to be informed on. Our honest regret for not expressing appreciation to you sooner.

  17. I definitely wanted to compose a brief remark to be able to thank you for all of the splendid guides you are sharing on this website. My rather long internet research has finally been recognized with beneficial know-how to talk about with my family. I ‘d declare that most of us site visitors are very endowed to dwell in a really good site with very many wonderful people with beneficial opinions. I feel really lucky to have used your entire webpages and look forward to really more enjoyable minutes reading here. Thank you again for everything.

  18. I wanted to create you that little word to finally give many thanks once again with your gorgeous information you have shown on this website. This is quite surprisingly generous of you in giving publicly precisely what many people would have distributed for an electronic book to get some profit on their own, especially given that you could have done it if you wanted. Those tactics likewise served as the great way to realize that other people have the same interest just like my own to realize whole lot more when it comes to this condition. I am certain there are some more pleasurable opportunities up front for those who looked over your blog post.

  19. I enjoy you because of each of your efforts on this web site. Betty really likes working on investigation and it is easy to understand why. I hear all relating to the lively tactic you produce important guidelines via this web blog and therefore recommend participation from the others on that subject then our simple princess is truly starting to learn so much. Take pleasure in the rest of the new year. You’re the one conducting a useful job.

  20. Thank you so much for giving everyone such a memorable opportunity to check tips from this website. It is usually so beneficial and packed with a great time for me and my office peers to visit your website at least three times every week to read through the fresh issues you have. And lastly, I’m also actually happy concerning the sensational principles served by you. Certain 4 facts on this page are really the most suitable I have had.

  21. I wish to express some thanks to you just for bailing me out of this type of incident. Right after researching throughout the world wide web and seeing recommendations which were not beneficial, I thought my entire life was done. Existing minus the solutions to the difficulties you’ve fixed by means of the short article is a critical case, as well as the kind which may have negatively damaged my entire career if I hadn’t come across your web blog. Your know-how and kindness in maneuvering almost everything was valuable. I don’t know what I would have done if I had not come across such a stuff like this. I’m able to now look ahead to my future. Thanks very much for your impressive and results-oriented help. I won’t think twice to propose the sites to any person who ought to have recommendations about this topic.

  22. I simply wanted to construct a quick word to appreciate you for those great tips you are giving out at this site. My incredibly long internet lookup has finally been rewarded with sensible know-how to talk about with my friends and family. I ‘d believe that most of us readers are very fortunate to live in a notable place with so many special people with helpful points. I feel truly happy to have used your webpage and look forward to plenty of more pleasurable minutes reading here. Thank you once again for all the details.

  23. I am only writing to let you know what a amazing discovery my cousin’s girl developed reading the blog. She mastered so many details, not to mention what it’s like to possess a great helping spirit to have others just fully grasp specified problematic things. You truly exceeded readers’ expected results. Thank you for displaying those important, healthy, explanatory and as well as fun tips on this topic to Emily.

  24. Thanks for all of your labor on this web page. Kim really likes setting aside time for internet research and it is simple to grasp why. A lot of people know all about the dynamic mode you present helpful ideas on your web blog and even improve contribution from other people about this concern while my girl is undoubtedly starting to learn a whole lot. Take advantage of the rest of the new year. You’re doing a powerful job.

  25. I intended to compose you a very little observation to finally say thanks over again with the exceptional methods you’ve contributed in this article. It’s incredibly open-handed of you to provide easily precisely what some people could possibly have marketed as an e-book to get some profit on their own, particularly seeing that you might well have done it in case you considered necessary. The inspiring ideas in addition worked as a fantastic way to recognize that someone else have similar dreams the same as my personal own to understand a great deal more on the subject of this matter. I’m sure there are some more pleasurable instances in the future for many who take a look at your site.

  26. My husband and i have been so happy that Ervin managed to finish up his research from your precious recommendations he had from your very own site. It’s not at all simplistic to just find yourself giving away concepts which usually people today might have been selling. And we do understand we’ve got the blog owner to give thanks to for this. All the illustrations you made, the easy blog menu, the friendships you help to engender – it’s got mostly awesome, and it’s helping our son in addition to us reckon that this topic is cool, and that is incredibly vital. Thank you for all!

  27. I am also commenting to let you know of the helpful encounter my wife’s child encountered studying your blog. She discovered plenty of things, including what it is like to have an incredible teaching spirit to let the others effortlessly know just exactly specified problematic issues. You undoubtedly did more than people’s desires. I appreciate you for producing those warm and helpful, healthy, edifying and cool tips on this topic to Lizeth.

  28. I enjoy you because of every one of your effort on this web page. My mom delights in setting aside time for research and it is easy to understand why. Many of us hear all regarding the powerful form you create very helpful thoughts by means of the website and therefore attract participation from some others about this idea while our child is now studying a lot. Have fun with the rest of the new year. You’re the one performing a glorious job.

  29. Needed to create you the very little remark to thank you so much once again on your remarkable things you’ve shared on this website. This is quite particularly generous with people like you to offer unhampered what exactly a number of people could possibly have marketed for an e-book to earn some bucks on their own, certainly considering the fact that you could have tried it if you considered necessary. Those good ideas in addition worked to become easy way to fully grasp that someone else have a similar desire much like my personal own to find out way more with regard to this issue. I’m sure there are millions of more enjoyable opportunities up front for people who go through your site.

  30. My spouse and i ended up being absolutely excited when Michael could complete his analysis from the ideas he gained in your web site. It’s not at all simplistic just to continually be freely giving points which often some people might have been trying to sell. And we also understand we now have the blog owner to give thanks to for that. These explanations you’ve made, the easy website navigation, the friendships your site help to instill – it’s many awesome, and it is facilitating our son in addition to our family reckon that that subject is excellent, which is certainly unbelievably pressing. Thank you for the whole lot!

  31. If youre looking to maintain your costs as small as possible, the best
    choice is to choose your house warranty.

    When motor inside dishwasher died a young death, I replaced it which
    has a model that again wasn’t essentially the most expensive, however it wasn’t the lowest priced either.
    For example, if all my shared home expenses above
    add around $10,000 and my house work place is 5% of the total space of the house, my discount would be $500.

  32. Sylvia, reading this makes me smile and realize that this man was sooooo worth the wait for you!!! God’s timing is so perfect and you two are so perfect for eachother!! Thanks too for the reminder that our “Bucket list” is a day by day thing. Not just something to attain in the future. God has so much for us each day. Wake up every day and say “This is the day that the Lord has made!! What do you have in store for me today or who do you want me to connect with?” He gave me this day. You allowed me to wake up so I better make the best of it for Him!! So I guess my “list” is whatever He has for me that day! Some days I hear better than others but it is my hearts desire. Thanks for your blogs and being obedient to His call on your “list”!

  33. I like what you say so much find myself wondering when the next one will be coming. I looked on your websight and dont see a book. Do you have a book?

    1. The book is something I’m hoping for next year. I’m using this blog as a “testing ground” so any and all comments are welcomed as it helps me tremendously. Thank you!

  34. When I met you at a recent women’s retreat, I was so moved by the loving way you described and spoke about Wolf. I knew he had to be someone very special to put that light in your eyes. After reading this, it is clear that God put two wonderfully created beings together to accomplish great things! God bless you both!

    1. Marriage is sure worth choosing wisely for, investing in, holding precious, and fighting for, that I’ve learned! Thank you for your comment; hope to see you here again!

  35. I first learned about Bucket Lists when I saw the Jack Nicholson movie years ago. My takeaway was that as we reach our final years, making a bucket list offers a last chance opportunity to experience adventures we’ve previously missed. But Wolf’s far better idea reminds us that we should all be living our lives in a purposeful way NOW, as they are a gift from God to be used and savored throughout, not just in our twilight years. Most poignant though, are the “pearls” on his list that remind us that the best adventures of all are the ones that involve serving others and stepping out of our comfort zones to make a difference. Wonderful blog!

  36. What a beautiful testimony of the love and character of a godly man.
    Blessings to you and your gift of a husband.

  37. When is chapter two coming? Loved this so much. Having an attitude of gratefulness and thanks to Him for all in our lives gives strength and peace.. Amazing

  38. May the love you and Wolf share grow deeper, spread wider, and soar victoriously through any hardship you may endure.

    1. Hardship, schmardship when you’ve got the King! Your words are so uplifting and I thank you for taking the time to comment!

  39. Awesome, Sylvia. An amazing man with an amazing wife. I see the Holy Spirit’s work in your lives. Thank you for sharing.

  40. They say when we write, we should write about what we know best. You just did it. This is your very best blog to date. Congratulations.

  41. I love the idea of making a bucket list, and not just for fun – but as an actual plan of action! Thanks for the inspiration and the reminder that I need to get on that! 🙂

  42. Your husband makes us guys look bad. JK. Great bit of writing and a compelling story. Makes me wanna jump in to life more.

  43. The irony of this blog…I just rewrote my bucket list last night. The contentment I have in my life, with my husband, my God, my family. With money as tight as it has been, I am so content keeping life simple and finding ways to serve the Lord with my family. I pray that we are given opportunities to expose our children to such opportunities so they can see the true joy that comes from being with others Chrisitans who find joy in serving, being greatful for what they have and give unselfishly from their hearts.

  44. WOW, I am going to have to read this one several times to get it all. I firmly believe that when God created Wolf, he looked down and said “It is VERY GOOD” Can I apply for #2 on the new list?

Leave a Reply to top home warranty in texas Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.