A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
There are days when I stop, (bust into tears) and ask myself, "What am I doing?" The question usually comes up after I've done the dishes for the 57407490th time, taken 5849038 minutes getting the kids in and out of the car to go to activities, burned dinner, and flooded... something. I've found it helpful to look up inspiring quotes (usually on the scholarly Pintrest) to use as a springboard to get a grip on my day. Lately, I have been reading about the "Proverbs Wife."
I must admit that although I've been Christian my whole life, I have little knowledge of the Old Testament. Actually, one of the reasons I love my husband is that he does have a good understanding of the Old Testament, and can tell any story at the drop of a hat, with great speaker's charisma. I am sure that 90% of my OT skills are simply from listening to my husband tell the stories to me. This leads to my admittance that before this year I have had little knowledge of the Proverb's Wife. I was about to copy and paste the full text, but thought it would be much prettier to just include a link.
Proverb's 31:10-31 starts with:
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
And ends with:
Honer her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gates.
Pretty powerful, right? I mean, all of the motivation I need to last for a few years is in those two sentences. Within those beautiful bookends is an extensive list of tasks the noble wife completes with great competence.
She brings joy to her family, and her family praises her. She works hard constantly, day and night, and the list of tasks she completes seem impossible to achieve. She is irreplaceable and priceless.
This is what I should be as a wife: Irreplaceable and priceless. My daughter is in the magnificent stage where dressing up as a princess is a dedicated and time consuming activity. I often tell her that she is a princess... a child of God. But in order to be a good princess, she must play the part with her actions: listening to Mommy and Baba, and being respectful and kind. The same principal can be applied to the married life. Both spouses should request the respect given to the Proverb's wife through their actions.
Now, returning to my opening, burning dinner is not much to be praised over. There are many nights however, when I cook something so delicious the positive results of the meal last for days. There are times when Clara runs over to hug me, just because. There are days (plural!) when the house is neat, organized, and as welcoming as the hug of a toddler. Not everything is perfect, but the Proverb's Wife gives me something to strive for. It also gives me an affirmation that what I am doing is important, and is making a difference.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a women who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31: 27-30.
She brings joy to her family, and her family praises her. She works hard constantly, day and night, and the list of tasks she completes seem impossible to achieve. She is irreplaceable and priceless.
This is what I should be as a wife: Irreplaceable and priceless. My daughter is in the magnificent stage where dressing up as a princess is a dedicated and time consuming activity. I often tell her that she is a princess... a child of God. But in order to be a good princess, she must play the part with her actions: listening to Mommy and Baba, and being respectful and kind. The same principal can be applied to the married life. Both spouses should request the respect given to the Proverb's wife through their actions.
Now, returning to my opening, burning dinner is not much to be praised over. There are many nights however, when I cook something so delicious the positive results of the meal last for days. There are times when Clara runs over to hug me, just because. There are days (plural!) when the house is neat, organized, and as welcoming as the hug of a toddler. Not everything is perfect, but the Proverb's Wife gives me something to strive for. It also gives me an affirmation that what I am doing is important, and is making a difference.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a women who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31: 27-30.
