"He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord" - Proverbs 18:22
I love my wife and I am certainly glad that she loves me! Coming up on 25 years of marriage with her, I can attest how the above mentioned scripture rings true in my life and in the lives of our children.
There are so many wonderful qualities and values that she personifies daily and has been freely giving to us through the years. These are just a few, but there are so many more rich examples I could share...
1) Love, as evidenced by keeping me/us alive with the excellent meals she has prepared since our 4th date!
2) Organization and vision, as evidenced by her multitasking and spinning "spinning straw to gold" with our finances...
3) ...and Spirituality, as evidenced by praying and working diligently for our well-being and success everyday as we depart to go to work/school from the safe and serene home that she has created for us.
I love her and have seen the favor God has granted to me by her presence and commitment in our lives. As mentioned, there are more expressions of love that she blesses us with, and perhaps like with your wife, there isn't space to document them all.
King Solomon does a great job of showing us a sliver of the favor that a husband receives as he records the values and virtues of a wife in Proverbs 31:10 - 31. I have seen these qualities demonstrated in and through my wife many times and I have tremendous gratitude that God has blessed me with favor though her. Please take a moment to read these qualities:
10 "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
Men, I don't know about you, but in my "youth" I did not do a good job of loving my wife. I wish I had known about the 10 characteristics of Agape, of which "Prizing" my wife is one. Despite my stubbornness, sloth and "know-it-all" character defects, she has been a devoted wife, lover and friend to me and the best educator, friend and Mom to our children. Yes, I have received much more Favor from God when she said "I do."
Well, I get it today, and today, and for however long God keeps me on this Earth, I have the opportunity to learn about love, grow my character (and become a Proverbs 31:10 - 31 Man) and reciprocally give to her what God has so freely given to me: Love, as evidenced by the characteristic of Favor.
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