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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Are you a wise or foolish woman?

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Tuesday’s over at my blog are called “Two shall become One~ Tuesdays. I share bits and pieces of encouragement on marriage. My husband and I have spent many hours sitting with couples who were struggling with this very important relationship, second only in importance to the relationship we have with the Lord.

As part of pastoral ministry, we took couples through pre-marriage counseling or as one of our favorite couples affectionately called it: Pre-Marriage Boot Camp!
We take marriage seriously and required several weeks of meeting and lots of homework.

God created the world and everything we see, and then He created man. They found that even with all the beauty of creation including the animals, Adam was still missing something. So God formed the woman out of the side of Adam, He said that she was a suitable helper to Adam. She was part of him, but now separate, and when God brought them together, they were one. Congratulations, the first marriage.

I believe that our communities, states and nation are only as strong as our individual families are. We as wives play such a huge part in keeping the family unit strong.

The Bible says:
Proverbs 14:1
A wise woman builds her house; a foolish woman tears hers down
with her own hands.
NLT


Those are some powerful words. This verse resonates in my mind when I’m struggling with my attitude…which hardly ever happens (ducking from impending lightning strike).

I hear some of you…. "but I’m only part of this, my husband needs to hear this more than I do!” Maybe so, but Proverbs 14:1 is spoken to us, not them.

I want to be a wise woman, and when I look at the scope of all that’s at stake, I realize that it is in my best interest to keep my heart focused on how God wants me to act in this marriage.

I ask myself, and you… what can I do today to BUILD my house, and how can I avoid tearing it down?

Here are two things that I believe are great building blocks:

1. Instead of pointing the finger at our spouses, let’s point them in the mirror
first and humbly ask…Lord what would you have ME do?
2. Priorities... as Christians, ours should be:
God (personal relationship
with Him)
Spouse
Children
Everything else (our priorities here may be
different, depending on our individual circumstances)


Our families are worth it. And yes, it may cost us things like…our pride and ‘having our own way’. But the peace that comes from a heart submitted to God…priceless.

Father, I ask you to help us as women to honor You with our lives. Help us to forgive the offenses that we may have towards our husbands. Heal any broken hearts Lord. Give us the strength we need to do what You’ve called us to…and pour Your love into us that we can love our husbands and be the helper You’ve created us to be.
We love You Lord. Thank You for caring so deeply about every detail in our lives.
In Jesus name we pray.



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17 Comments:

Blogger Denise said...

Such a lovely word for today, thank you.

June 2, 2009 at 12:28 AM  
Blogger Fitter After 50 said...

I'm always encouraged to meet women that topics like these matter to them.

June 2, 2009 at 5:53 AM  
Blogger Faye said...

What a great post.Always a blessing!

June 2, 2009 at 6:32 AM  
Blogger LauraLee Shaw said...

Powerful post. I struggle often with this. Especially in the area of my words. Bless you, sister.

June 2, 2009 at 10:05 AM  
Blogger AylaStair said...

Thank you for posting this, it touched my heart because I struggle with this, mostly in my words.

June 2, 2009 at 10:43 AM  
Blogger Grandma Elsie said...

You are wise counslers...
A women must first look at her faults... let he that is without ...fault...sin....cast a stone..
Consider finding things to brag on her husband about ,yes even when you want o shake him.
I learned I got more help from my husband willingly after I started this. We were married 47 1/2 years when he died .
My blessing is remembering the words he spoke to me the last few months he lived..
" Honey you have been good to me ".
Now I can live with that.
Elsie <><

June 2, 2009 at 1:44 PM  
Blogger Praise and Coffee said...

Oh Elsie, your words make me smile and cry :)
Thank you!
Sue

June 2, 2009 at 2:45 PM  
Blogger Michael and Annalea said...

I can so relate with what the proverb says, especially in the crisis days of my marriage. Our house crumbled down around our ears...literally (we lost it in foreclosure) because of hurt & bitterness from us both.

Now that my husband is laying his life down for me and becoming the man that God has called him to be, my heart is so much safer with him and my hurt & bitter words of old are now sweetened with honey each day.

Annalea

June 2, 2009 at 4:16 PM  
Blogger Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

Wonderful words! It is so refreshing to see someone take the Bible at its word and not water it down.

June 2, 2009 at 5:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sue, great wisdom, Jim and I have helped Blended families, and having your priorities straight is the key. Thanks for the reminders:)
Deb

June 2, 2009 at 7:32 PM  
Blogger Kelly L said...

This is THE blog I needed to read today. I was too busy pointing fingers and it wasn't in the mirror..It still amazes me that God just gives you what you need to know, read, see, and hear...
incredible
Love
Kelly

http://www.amazingsalvation.com

June 3, 2009 at 1:06 AM  
Blogger BizzieLizzie said...

I LOVE my marriage. It does require work, but you are so right - next to God - my husband and Lizzie are what is most important to me. Thanks for that affirmation. I'm on the right track, at least for today!

June 3, 2009 at 3:55 AM  
Blogger Praise and Coffee said...

Thank you, I just feel that if our families need to be stronger today. Sometimes we get so busy with ministry and put the most important ministry on the back burner.
Deb, blended families present so many opporunities for struggles, we have some close friends struggling with that too. But the Lord is big enough to overcome them all! Keep up the good work!!

June 3, 2009 at 5:42 AM  
Anonymous Debbie said...

This is so true - and so needed. I think I need to read this every morning before I start my day. My attitude is definitely the "rudder" for our family, and I sooooo want to be a wise woman!

June 3, 2009 at 6:22 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Thank you for this great devotional... and bless you in your ministry!

June 3, 2009 at 8:58 AM  
Blogger Kate said...

Oh, this is a convicting post! These are both things I struggle with, especially keeping my priorities straight. I so want to be that wise woman; that's even the subject of my blog. =) Thank you for this post!

~Kate
"Which Proverbs 14:1 Woman?
www.proverbs14.com

June 3, 2009 at 3:35 PM  
Blogger lynnmosher said...

Great post, Sue! That Proverbs verse is so true, especially the second half, "a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands," and with her own words and thoughts.

I learned a long time ago that, every time a negative thought popped up, like why can't he close that door or pick up those socks, if I countered with a praise to the Lord, my attitude and feelings changed.

Now, before a negative thought tries to dig its way into my head, a praise replaces it! Thank you for this. Blessings...Lynn

June 3, 2009 at 4:08 PM  

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