Today I wrapped up 31 days in Proverbs. The Proverbs end with a poem describing the ideal woman. It ends by saying "let her works praise her in the gates." This means the excellent character and work of such a woman calls for public honor. I guess that includes blog postings.
10 An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet. [6]
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
While this is describing the ideal woman, and no woman could ever be perfect, I read this and feel fortunate to have a wife so darn close! A few things worth highlighting:
I love the line "she laughs at the time to come". This is in contrast to a woman that is worried or fearful of what tomorrow brings. Christine is not a worrier. She's not afraid of tomorrow. Her friends admire her for being such a calm and relaxed spirit.
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. No one can call Christine idle. She's not running around manically, but she take pride in her role as mom and wife, and never tires of her role.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
