26 - 02 - 2017, 12:12 PM
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Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Prov.31:30-31
Believe it or not.. this was basically a 'want ad' for a very important job.  It's a job description of the most amazing job on earth in my opinion. Yes! I'm proud of my job. :D It's a special one and an important one. She that rocks the cradle rules the world..is a truer quote than most of us realize.
Did you know this passage was probably written by a mom? She was giving advice to her son on what to look for in a good wife. It was meant to be a poem or song and each verse started with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Now wouldn't this be great to teach to our girls AND our boys.. so they know what to look for or aim for in marriage.
Frankly, most wives I know.. fit this description though many feel they aren't living up to this standard. I think they underestimate themselves. The qualities are pretty universal to most women..capable, intelligent, hard working, creative, good financial managers, bargain hunters, clothes savvy, generous to the needy, kind and faithful to their kids.. looking out for their welfare..
and most of all they love their husbands and delight to 'help' them out. 'Helping' is what most of us are best at. Frankly finding a good wife is a scary thing for most young men. My boys were very nervous to tell you the truth. But I knew they knew to look for the right things and that is the key really.
Of course, apart from the Lord's grace none of us can be a 'good' anything and we aren't called to be perfect thank you Lord!.. but with His strength.. we can do this!I'm so glad the Lord gave us Mary and Martha's story to balance this. The first thing you need to be a good wife.. is time at the Lord's feet. Then you won't be like Martha.. 'worried.. and mentally overburdened' by your job.
Fearing God is the key.. if you seek Him first.. seek to please Him doing everything as 'unto him'...then you will be able to be all you want to be as a wife and mother.
The Lord can give us the 'get up and go'.. when it's gone up and went.
When we delight ourselves in the Lord.. and he speaks lovingly to our hearts.. showing us his words 'just for you'.. and we get fed and ministered too and as George Muller said, "made Happy in the Lord'.. then it's easy to be cheerful about your work the rest of the day.PS. This principle applies to MEN as well as to women.
For years I read this and felt like a failure.. silly me. These are great things to aim for.. but we are all living with a flesh.. and need the Lord's grace to over come it. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus! This is a lifetime's supply of work. We won't do all of this in any one day.. and doubtless in any one season of life.
So rest easy.. love the Lord.. and do your best in His strength.
Hymn to a Good Wife
10-31 A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
(She loves her husband and is kind to him. She is her husband's partner and home manager.. keeping the finances in good shape by wise spending.)
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
(She's a great shopper.. and determined to get good bargains.)
She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
(She makes the most of every minute of the day.. and gets a substantial amount of work done.. She has a 'proper vision' of it's importance.)
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
(She's good at the household skills and projects and keeps the home in a good state of repair.)
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
(Our work makes Him look good to others! I love this.)
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
(Well.. we can't all do this. But we can make sure our family is dressed nicely and that they have what they need for the season and occassion.)
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
(She has a great attitude and keeps a good eye on the kids.. correcting and directing them in a kind way.)
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
but you’ve outclassed them all!”
(If we give our family our very best.. they will certainly be grateful.. and say so. I can't think of accolades sweeter to our ears than the ones coming from our own family.)
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
Dear Lord, Help us to delight in our jobs as wife, mother, home manager.. as unto You. Help us 'see' the bigger picture of this particular job's true worth and impact. No one else will do it if we don't. Help us to see each task however large or small as a way to give both you and our family our very best. Amen
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