A Tribute - Proverbs 31:10ff

Many people, over the years, have commented on how much I take after my late dad.  I share his looks; his mannerisms; his quiet nature (okay, that last one is a joke!).  I am happy to be connected with a man whom I loved and admired as much as I did.

And there is a third similarity - a genuine one!  My dad was married to a wonderful woman in my mum!  I am so glad that I take after him in that.  These past few days have been hectic.  While newspaper reports would suggest that it is very easy to get into the UK without a passport, we have been having great difficulty obtaining replacement passports in order to get out of the UK, next month, on our first visit to France for this year!

The bulk of the 'phoning and running around has fallen to my own wee wife.  She suffers from a 'hidden' medical condition that is exacerbated by stress of any kind and, at times over these past days, she has been put "through the mill" to an extent that she could well have done without.   Yet she has plodded on, and has an appointment at the Glasgow Passport Office, on Monday when, we trust, this particular saga will be concluded.

In the Biblical Book of Proverbs, we find a wonderful description of a wife:

"A good wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.  The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.  She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.  She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar.  She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens.  She considers a field and buys it;with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.  She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.  Her lamp does not go out at night.  She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.  She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.  She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.  She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant.  Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.  She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.  She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  'Many women have done excellently,but you surpass them all.'  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." (31:10-31).

I am so grateful to Father God that He gave me such a wife.  The details may be different - we do not live in the same culture - but the principles of the "good wife" are the same.  Words are not sufficient to say how much I love her - but I do!  She has been a loving, caring, supportive, encouraging, faithful, wife for more than forty-three years, and has been a wonderful mother to the two super daughters whom she bore to me.

Thank you, my love.  You are, indeed, "more precious than jewels".