A wife of noble character who can find?
       She is worth far more than rubies.
 Her husband has full confidence in her
      and lacks nothing of value.

 She brings him good, not harm,
       all the days of her life.
 She selects wool and flax
       and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
       bringing her food from afar.
 She gets up while it is still dark;
       she provides food for her family
       and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
       out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
       her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
       and her lamp does not go out at night.
 In her hand she holds the distaff
       and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
       and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
       for all of them are clothed in scarlet
 She makes coverings for her bed;
       she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
       where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
       and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
       she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
       and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
 She watches over the affairs of her household
       and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
       her husband also, and he praises her
"Many women do noble things,
       but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
       but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
 Give her the reward she has earned,
       and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

So girls, have you ever thought about this passage? I mean really thought about that. Have you ever thought of that as an outline for your role as a woman or as a wife? I know that I have.... and I know that now as a married woman I notice myself thinking back to this passage as I go through me daily routine.

My days are long... I work 50 hours a week... and that is just what I get paid for. My "job" never really ends though... but that all comes with growing up and leaving childhood behind.

Lately I have been thinking to myself how in the world can I live up to that?! And I think about how tired I am when I get home and honestly how I don't want to do anything but lay down and rest. But as life may have it, I cannot do that. And then Satan plays the "You are FAILING" card.

And you know what... I have been taking that card and believing it. I bet I am not the only woman out there that is or has done this. I am sure there are plenty of women that are believing that they are required to be perfect and live up to that standard.

And honestly most of us probably will never do that with as much perfection as that woman so gracefully did. We will sweat, probably complain, maybe even become bitter...

But maybe we won't... maybe we can do it with out too much sweat and gripping and without a hint of bitterness....

and you know where that begins, Ladies? in our hearts.... we have to let our hearts be at rest.

As I was on my hands and knees cleaning our kitchen floor today (true, not for dramatic effect... we don't have a mop) I saw a little piece of paper sticking out from a crack. It was a fortune from a cookie. It said "Before the beginning of great brilliance, there must be chaos."

Because of the newly restored attitude the Lord so graciously bestowed upon me tonight, I am standing on the edge of great brilliance. Not because of me, but because of Him.