the virtuous wife

There are so many things that I have been struggling with in my life and the biggest one has been laziness. At times I look at my life and it seems unfair. Single mom at 20, mother of 3 at 25 (which isn't a bad thing or a regret...just unexpected!) with little patience. God never promised us a fair life though, how selfish of me to expect it! The dishes need to be done, laundry is piling up, and my living room never stays organized. In these times of my life I turn to the verse James 1:4. "But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." I am a prisoner of Christ and even though I don't want to do what I should (dishes, laundry, being patient and loving with my children) I am called to do it. There is no choice involved. The Lord calls us to be virtuous wives: Proverbs 31:10-31

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “ Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

I will build my household with love so my husband and children will be comforted by it. So if I endure, endurance will do its complete work, so that I will be mature and complete, lacking nothing. May the Lord bless our family, household, and marriage abundantly.

-Shana