She's Simply the Best

 

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      Thursday, May 8, 2014

Below is the Epilogue to the Book of Proverbs.   I have concluded that it describes my wife, Kathy.  In marrying Kathy, I hit the jackpot.  Here’s why.    

“ A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Kathy’s character exceeds mine in a thousand ways. I am, however worth more than she in one way. There’s more life insurance on me.

 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

Total confidence in her!  She is completely loyal and her value to me is beyond what words can express. I trust Kathy completely.

 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

          Even when I don’t like what she tells me, it’s always and only for my best. . . .
         She loves me.

 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She selects her wool already woven at Kohls and with eager hands she does other stuff like cooking and gardening.

 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

Okay, so Giant isn’t that far.  However because she considers her family so special to her, she drives all the way up to Shady Maple for fresh and varied produce, including their special fruit breads for me.

 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

Kathy has never had a servant girl!  (Hear that Sarah!).   And yes, except for three days of the week Kathy’s up before I am, starting her day, mostly reading her bible, reading God Calling, and preparing to serve and meet her family’s needs.  And yes, she also does Pilates.

 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

Actually Kathy did the choosing and purchasing of the home we live in!  She decorated it.  Anything beautiful about our home inside or out is her doing.    And yes they are her earnings.  She doesn’t make enough for having had to live with me for 27 years and to have been a mother for  (do you actually think I’m going to tell you how many?) straight years  (yes, I know how many but I’m not telling).

 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

Kathy plants and harvests the garden all by herself.   She has strength and stamina that exceeds mine. 

 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

This is true.  Kathy knows how to exchange dollars for goods far better than I do.   And yes, her lamp doesn’t go out at night.   Oh how many nights I wish that it did, however.

 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

What’s a distaff?   If it means a big stick, yes she does wield that.   And yes, she sews too!

 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

Kathy’s heart is big and she’s light years ahead of me in caring for others.

 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

Okay, she’s not too good at this one, but she always says, “put on some gloves, Get a warmer coat”.   It’s irritating.

 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Yep, and I have to make the bed every single morning (15 items, no kidding!)   That’s every . . .  single . . . . morning!   And yes she absolutely  dazzles in linen and purple!

 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

I’m like everyone else, respected by some, not so much by others, but Kathy, she gives me an unfailing respect that I have neither earned or deserved.   That’s a really, really big gift.

 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

Well, she does supply the merchants all right, but with dollars, not sashes.   Money, sashes . . . same thing.

 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Nothing is more true of Kathy than this one.  She is a woman of strong character and grace.   And yes she is clothed with dignity.   And, wonderfully, she fills our home with laughter.   Kathy laughs and it is she who brings joy to our home.

 
 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Kathy’s wisdom is way too often unappreciated.  When she’s away or leaves me to my own whims and desires, I’m in big trouble.   Life is so much better when I heed her wisdom.  Kathy is indeed wise.  Irritating?  Yes!   Wonderful?  Yes!  Especially when I actually listen to her.

 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

More truth!  She’s does all the finances, bills, and basically keeps us solvent.   She is never idle except when she falls asleep at every . . . single . . . movie . . . we  . . . ever, . . .  watch!   But that’s only because she is not an idle woman!

 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

One of the most fun things I experience in my entire life is watching how every one of her children in one way or another never fail to “rise up and call here blessed”.   I love how her children love and respect their mom. 

 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."   Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

I don’t care if it’s deceptive, I love it when she turns on the charm!    As far as fleeting beauty, well I haven’t seen that happening!  I have a sizzling wife!  And a beautiful one!  Yet, the absolute best thing is her love of God and her love of family.   Her faith is real, in fact God is the lifeblood of her life.   Now that’s attractive!

 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
                                                                                     Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)

 

“Lord, verse 31 is my prayer for my wife for Mother’s Day and for every day.   Give her indeed the reward she has earned and may her works bring her the kind of praise that the heart of a wife and mother yearns to receive.  And Lord help me find the ways you have chosen me to be a bringer of at least some of those rewards.  Amen”

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