A Wife of Noble Character
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She is virtuous (vərCHo͞o noun "behavior showing high moral standards.") to the utmost degree. She is invaluable as a resource, way more than wealth or riches. She is the most trustworthy person I know--always following through on her word and keeping every promise she makes. She makes wise decisions and her gut response has navigated us through many troubled waters.
13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
She cuts coupons but not corners. She creates crafts and prepares meals for guests. She makes our home an inviting place to welcome both friends and strangers. She is rarely idle at home, recognizing her important role in raising our family and keeping the home in order. She rarely if never gets up before dawn....but she does typically clean up from the mess I make with breakfast dishes!
16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
Katie is frugal and finds ways to stretch our income so that we can be more generous with what we have to others. She is a cautious buyer (unlike me) and makes sure to research before purchasing something whimsically. I always know it is a good buy by the time she recommends it to me. Katie is always quick to smile, quick to laugh out loud at a good (or bad) joke, and always ready to make someone feel good. She has birthed 3 children and is carrying our 4th--talk about strength! She is capable of carrying two children in her arms while carrying another in utero.
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
Katie knows how to make a pair of jeans last beyond the abbreviated timeline I give them. She resows buttons, patches rips, and organizes the kids' clothing by size, season, and color! She carries bags of snacks for homeless people she meets on street corners. She has cared for an African child through Compassion International since she was a college student. She has a heart for helping those less fortunate than us and loves to buy "secret Santa" gifts for kids who would otherwise receive none.
22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
Katie loves to make our bed every morning and keep the house picked up every night after the kids go to bed. She loves beauty and loves to make our kids and our home a beautiful place to live. Katie makes me a better person. She brings out sensitivities and empathy in me that I otherwise lack. She reminds me of who I am, Whose I am, and what I am called to do. She completes my family ensemble so that no one just hears of me but rather of we.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
Katie is worthy of honor and respect. She is a leader, a planner, and a diligent worker for God's Kingdom. She seeks God before relying on her own judgment, even in times where she doubts the future. Katie thinks before she speaks, so that when she speaks her words are like choice apples to a hungry appetite (thank you Proverbs 25:11). Katie holds her tongue from words of anger or bitterness and instead chooses ways to word things with kindness and truth and goodness. She is quick to listen to other people's wisdom and others are quick to hear her advice. Even while pregnant or nursing Katie is on her feet much of the day, taking care of the needs of the household--no chore or job is left undone under her supervision.
28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
Katie has brought beautiful children into this world--not just in looks, but in obedience, behavior, laughter, and compassion. You can see the fruit of her motherly duties by looking closely at our children. You can see Katie's heart by observing McKenna, Micaiah, or Isaiah. Call me biased or call me blind but I see Katie as the most capable woman in the world!
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
Katie, we are going to grow old together, fat together, and die together, but your heart and your legacy and your love for the Lord will live on well after we have faded from this earth. You are worthy of all the respect, all the love, all the praise I can offer. Thank you for being my wife and my best friend.
Worthy! Worthy! And we'll said!
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