Wife

I thought I would talk about a truly good wife today, according to God’s Word in Proverbs 31:10-31:

“Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

She brings her food from afar.

She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength,

And strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

She makes tapestry for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Today it seems that men are encouraged to take on the wife’s roll and the wife her husband’s roll.  Many men take care of the children and do the housework and the wife works outside the home.  In some cases this may not be able to be avoided, depending on the circumstances or situation.  In my day it seemed just the opposite, the women took care of what went on in the home and the husband helped also, along with much of what went on outside of the home. He also worked, sometimes long hours, to keep the home up, feed his family, put clothes on them and whatever else was needed.  Many of these women also worked outside the home and worked very hard.  My mom was one of these women and her and my dad raised twelve kids and they went through some of the recession, it was tough but, for the most part, they seemed to be happy.

When my wife and I got married 37 years ago she chose to do the same thing.  I did not tell her she had to, or encourage her in any way, it was her choice and we have lived that way for 37 years.  I have never heard her complain.  She also worked outside the home and we raised five kids and she is still working.  We have nine beautiful grandchildren and she has been taking care of some of them one or two evenings a week for about 15 years and she still doesn’t complain.  She doesn’t do everything this woman did in Proverbs 31, but she is a godly woman and she loves me and my family and does what she can to take care of us and provide for us.  She also has the gift of hospitality along with other gifts.  Every time I read this story it reminds me of her and the gentle and sweet spirit she has and how I am so blessed to be married to her.  She doesn’t wear hardly any makeup, sometimes a little blush, but what is on the inside shines through and makes her a beautiful person on the outside and a joy to be around!!  I am so blessed to have her, thank you Lord!!

Just think, the woman in Proverbs 31 may not have been attractive at all on the outside, like many seem to think is most important today, there is nothing said about her looks, but it was her character that made her attractive.  This woman should be an inspiration to all women.  Something to think about!  May you have a super day and may the good Lord bless you and yours!!