The Beauty in Storms

A volcano erupts

It’s lava flows

The sky fills with ash like snow

Yet it is beautiful

A thunderstorm rolls by

It’s lightning flashes in the sky

Loud thunder cracks

Yet it is beautiful

A fire sweeps over a mountain

Tongues of flame licking at trees

The smell of smoke hanging in the air

Yet it is beautiful

A blizzard’s winds sweep the countryside

Large flakes blow sideways

Snow drifts everywhere

Yet it is beautiful

Rain falls and freezes

Trees crack and break under the weight

Ice coats and sparkles on everything

Yet it is beautiful

God is a mystery

His wrath and love is shown

His hands created these storms

Like them, He is not tame

But He is beautiful.

-Amanda Longpre’

A Wife of Noble Character

What is a wife of noble character? What should a wife and mother strive to be?

I do not see the need to expound on God’s word regarding this subject, for I feel that He has laid it out pretty clearly.

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

^10 [b]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 night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
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 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 

A wife of noble character. That is what I shall strive to be. It won’t be easy, but with God’s help I shall try.