Psalm 128 "Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine.."

Psalm 128
1Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Over the past few months I/we have been through allot(just ask my wife, and the kids...) and I have encountered many who are one of the following (mostly out side of our church family):
1. Unhappily married (as if it were an arranged marriage!)
2. Happily divorced (some multiple times)
3. Going through a divorce (with and without children which is a tragedy)
4. The "I Just got married because I need her extra money" group.
5. The "I just got married because I really love my girlfriend and were going to get married anyway so why not now" group.
6. The "I tolerate the old lady because it's too hard to train another one" group.

Then there is the group I feel that I am in, which I have found to be in the small minority most of the time. It is the one that many feminist groups would think holds women down in a subservient role. A role that is detrimental to the growth of young women, especially young mothers. We can't stop there, it's even worse in the World's view: how horrible it is to be a stay-at-home Mom, but also on the flip side there is also a group within the "christian" community that believes that it is horrible if mom needs to find work outside the home also.

Hmm...that's another post.

Anyone who thinks that because she did stay at home with two children she did not 'live up to her potential' as a liberated woman, doesn't have a concept of what it means to be a Godly Woman. Of course what really matters is what God says through His Scripture as to what it really means to be a Woman.

She has raised two Godly kids who continue to amaze her as to their knowledge of the who Jesus is, and their understanding of their place in God's plan . This is where I fallen down in the past as the spiritual leader of the home, and she has taken the lead in many ways. This is part of the reason I am writing this today.

She now needs to work outside of the home full time and I think that this sometimes effects her self-confidence! She often wonders if she is being a 'good mom'. Well here is an observation...The kids are the apple of her eye, or the 'pea in the pod', or the 'collar of the dog' to make it applicable to each of them! From each of their teachers in school, to their Sunday School Teachers who continue to be amazed by their respectfulness, to strangers at the store who complement her on their behaviour, to the things about God that they teach me all the time.
They reflect the Godliness they see in her. I am continually amazed by what she had done over our wonderful almost 11 years of marriage.

Who would have thought that the quiet 'stalker girl'(that's another story) I met 12 years ago (who had lived in the same house her entire life, except for college) would have stepped out of her comfort zone so many times I have lost count. She supported me in moving 800 miles from everything she knows. She has followed me to leave a church she loved and joined a church plant in support of what I felt was God's calling. She has endured physical trials for herself and the kids while I was at work or traveling and not able to be with her. She feels the same strong call to travel to Kenya to serve the poor and trust that God will make it happen. Who would have pictured her as persevering and tough?

God does, as he has given her sufficient Grace, in His time, in His amount. She has weathered many of these things because of her desire for God. I continue to be amazed at her walk with the Lord. Daily she is in the Word, praying and seeking God's guidance for her and her family.
I love the Godly Woman I married. Her son love his mother, and will seek a wife that has a heart for God like her one day, I pray. Her daughter loves and looks up to her mother, and continues to strive to be a Godly Woman like her in many ways. The "olive plants round about my table".

Now, she is working on Proverbs 31; 16 "...she considers a field and buys it and plants a vineyard."(Below) by taking on a full time job. I know it is not easy for her to be away, but again God is giving all that we need, in His time, His amount and for His plan.
I could go on....but I will end with I love you Katie and the Godly woman that you are. I am humbled every day when I go to God and thank Him for placing you in my life. I some times feel very undeserving, but then again, isn't that how it is with many of the blessings the Lord provides!

Proverbs 31 (King James Version)
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.