What a Woman #One

Mask worn to protect the identity of the innocent:)

I am a woman....hope that statement doesn't come as a shock to anyone.
I am a woman desiring to live life the way God wants me to live it. A worthy life goal if I may say so myself.
I am a woman who fails frequently in achieving said goal. Hmmmmm...obviously I am a work in progress, so in 2011....let's keep the building project moving.
I especially feel like I fall short when I read about the 'woman of excellence' in Proverbs 31. 'What a woman' that one is.

So in the hope of inspiring myself on in this goal of living a God-pleasing life, I thought I'd tackle blogging a series of posts on some of the different facets of this woman in Proverbs 31. Perhaps I will see areas where I need to lift my game....perhaps there will be some where I am succeeeding....perhaps.... Won't you join me?

A theme I have mentioned of late in other posts, is the role of a wife. Created by God to be a helper (one who 'complements') for Adam, Eve had a special God-given role.

So do I. I am to 'bring my husband good.' (Proverbs 31:12) I do that by....speaking highly of him to others.....showing him respect in my words, tone, actions....allowing him to lead.....encouraging him......being a willing lover.....doing the washing, cooking, cleaning, ironing, etc (with a smile:)).....giving him a head rub or back massage.....being his TA when he is replacing termite eaten skirting boards ......watching an action movie with him (even though I prefer comedies)......going willingly into his arms when he asks for a hug, even though I was in the middle of something.....making his lunch.....finding the icepack out for the green ant bite.....booking the holiday accommodation....staying within the budget he's organised when I go shopping........preparing a cold drink for him after he's mowed the lawn......praying for him every day.....thanking him for all he does to protect, provide and love our family.....

The other kind of wife is the one mentioned elsewhere in Proverbs. She is the one who makes life difficult and painful. Proverbs 12:4 - ....a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. Proverbs 19:13 - a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. Proverbs 21:19 - Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife. Hmmmm....NOT the kind of wife I want to be. Nor the kind of wife my husband deserves.

For our wedding, we wrote our own vows and J said in his that I was his crown. At first I didn't really know what that meant. But as I read Proverbs 12:4 - An excellent wife is the crown of her husband..... and thought about it, I realized the immense value and the incredible importance I have as my husband's wife. When I do him good, I am like a crown. I am a treasure. I make him feel important....like royalty. I help him to live well and bring him honour and pride.

But when I am selfish and look only to meet my own needs, I am more like a ball and chain. Hmmm.... wonder which one I'd prefer to wear?

A no-brainer question there. So that should make the decisions I make every day regarding my attitudes, words and actions towards my husband that much clearer and easier.

Simply put....Today (and every day), I need to do him good.