A wife of noble character who can find?

SUN 7/9 My devotional thoughts

My wife has had to put up with a lot from me. I am not an easy person to live with. Don't believe me? Just ask her. Better yet, ask my children. [On second thought, just take my word for it.]

• In the months leading up to my "nervous breakdown" & enforced "sabbatical" from LHNE, she kept warning me what was going to happen. I either agreed half-heartedly or spaced her off. What she told me would happen, well, it happened. Like my grand-daughters are always quick to tell anyone willing to listen--which is a lot of people--their grandma is always the smartest person in the room.
• In the months that followed, especially as I was told that my services at LHNE were no longer needed, which--in hindsight--was pretty accurate, & as I slipped deeper into clinical depression, guess who still chose to live with me? Yeah, it's still hard for me to believe, too.
• She has continued to stick by me while I have continued to have my ups & downs. It wasn't all that long ago that I was experiencing a high. For the last couple months I've been in a pit, for reasons that I think I will save for my next Mental Health MON. For sure I have been in quite a pity party, & yet, as I continue to repeat, she continues to stick by me. ["For better or for worse?" I think that was in our wedding vows. "Love, honor, & "obey." Ask me about the "obey" part sometime." On second thought, I don't want to talk about it.]
• Lois has given me her shoulder to cry on. [True confession. I am the cryer in this family.] She has also told me to "suck it up" when I've needed to hear that. [She's especially good at that, too.]
• So, when I wrapped up the Book of Proverbs in my daily quiet time just a few days ago, I came across this passage, Chapter 31:10-31. This section is entitled, "The Wife of Noble Character." So now it's time for the scriptural truths that made me think of the wife I have . . . a blessing from Jesus.

Truth from Scripture

• "She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her & lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." vv. 10-12
• "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."  v. 17
• "She is clothed with strength & dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."  v. 25
• "She speaks with wisdom, & faithful instruction is on her tongue." v. 26
• "She watches over the affairs of her household & does not eat the bread of idleness." v. 27
• "Her children arise & call her blessed; her husband also, & he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'" vv. 28-29
• "Charm is deceptive, & beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." v. 30
• "Give her the reward she has earned, & let her works bring her praise at the city gate." v. 31

Today's prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, may You bless Lois with the reward she has earned. May her works bring her praise from my lips, from the lips of our children & grand-children, and from the city gate. Amen.