The other day I read the chapter in the book about this little verse: Proverbs 31:10 - "Her price is much higher than jewels."
Elizabeth George writes about how life was bleak in Israel when this verse was written. Times were hard, and most people did not own any jewels. Therefore, the woman -- wife, daughter, mother, etc. -- became the "jewel" in her own home. I don't know about you, but this not only makes me feel special, but also like I have a huge duty:
My job is to provide the beauty in my home, and in my husband's and future children's lives.
As they say, with great power comes great responsibility. As I mulled this tiny verse over and over in my head the other day, I realized what a huge deal this is. I have the power to make or ruin Luke's entire day. And I have the power to make our home a place that he looks forward to, or dreads entering at the end of a long day.
Supplying the beauty in my home is not something that comes naturally, and it's not easy. It won't happen if I'm lazy or passive. So I decided to be proactive, and made a list of ways to supply beauty:
1. Keep the house clean. Set a cleaning schedule and stick to it.
2. Pray for my husband daily (one trick I like to use is to pray for him every time I catch a glimpse of my wedding band).
3. Pray for my family, friends, future children, and others who enter our home.
4. Provide filling, healthy, and tasty meals and snacks.
5. Help to make sure the outside of my house looks inviting in a way that Luke is proud to live here.
6. Do all I can to make sure Luke has a stress-free day at work by making sure I keep up with his laundry, sending him an encouraging text or two, refraining from texting him about problems or questions, and making a good lunch for him. I actually just started packing his lunch this week, but that is another story for another day.
7. Cultivate a peaceful feeling in my home by playing Christian music, lighting scented candles, or decorating it to make it pretty.
8. Live a life of integrity, and be responsible and proactive about getting things done so that Luke will "have full confidence" in me.
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Those are just a few ways to supply beauty in my home, but I'm sure there are many, many more, especially in homes with children. So what are some ideas you have about ways to supply beauty in your homes? I would love to hear any ideas, and might write a second post on this topic if I get a lot of good ones!
Linking up here:
I think your list is wonderful! I need to read that book! I've never thought of myself as a "jewel" before, but what a great message! I hope you will do more posts like this. I have really enjoyed reading your blog, especially in the past few weeks.
ReplyDeleteLOVE "Beautiful in God's Eyes." I'm in my mid-30's and am not married, and sometimes I have a hard time remembering to work on being all those things you said in your post. After reading Elizabeth's book, I went out to buy a ruby ring to wear on my ring finger - where it will stay until I find Mr. Missing and he replaces it with his own ring. And every time I catch a glimpse of it - like you said - I'm reminded to work on being that woman. And I try really hard to make sure my home and lifestyle reflect the same hard work I'd put into them if there actually were a husband present. That way I'm used to living that way when/if he arrives!
ReplyDeleteNew reader here! I think your list is great and will only help to love your husband the way God wants you to! :) I'm doing an amazing Bible study right now that hits on lots of those topics and it's called "Wife of Noble Character." If you haven't done it before, it has been such a blessing. Here's the site: http://wifeofnoblecharacter.com/
ReplyDeleteThis is so true, Jessica - I forget that I do have that power to affect Derek's day like that, and it's important to try to use it for good! Ha! Good post.
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