marriage & women

It is natural for girls to contemplate our future as fiancees, wives, and even mommies. Yesterday, my first NIECE was brought into this world. She is perfection wrapped up in a little human being sporting pink onesies. After her arrival, I began thinking how proud I am of my sister, Taylor, and brother-in-law. They make such great parents, and in order to be that, they have to be great partners. I often view their marriage and parenting as a model for my own future in these roles (how lucky I am). I know that before I can think about daughters and sons, I have to consider my responsibilities and purpose as a woman. Girls, we all want romance, we all want Prince Charming, we all want butterfly feelings. But I've learned that romance is provided for the woman who understands her role in the relationship; romance is given when the woman can be who her man needs her to be -- certainly not the unrealistic, perfect woman, but rather a Godly, Proverbs 31 woman.

"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 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...charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" 

As an unmarried woman, I know I do not have insurmountable knowledge on this subject -- talk to a wife (like my sis) and get the inside scoop, but I do know what GOD expects of me. I do know that I need to become the model that God has so graciously given. If I can be a woman of value, a woman of character, a woman after God's own heart, then I will receive praise and blessings in return. Ladies, when we take time to be the woman God intended, then God will grant us a man that also has sought after the Lord and prepared himself to be the man that satisfies women's specific needs. It's a flawless formula that works.

I think the best way to illustrate and capture the role of a Godly wife would be to include this delicate poem written by my beautiful sister, Brianna.

When you look me in the eye, and I'm the only one you see

I'll look back into yours

And won't hold back any part of me

I'll declare you my lover, my lover for life

Then I'll walk down the aisle

I'll be pure, wearing white

Because I made you a promise, in the form of a ring

My commitment to you: heart, soul, and body

Yes, I'll give you everything

I'll be beautiful, for you, inside and out

I'll love you with this heart I've been saving

You won't ever have to doubt

I'll cook your favorites meals, every night if I'm able

And when you get home late

I'll keep it wrapped, I'll be waiting at the table

Through the joy, through the sorrow

I promise I'll be here

I'll be in your every tomorrow

I'll work on our friendship, I'll talk and I'll listen

I'll give into your will

With quiet submission

I'll kiss you goodnight, wake up with a smile

We'll experience the world together, just you and me,

And I'll never let your wardrobe get outdated in style

When you are sick, ill, or burdened with grief

I'll pray for you, without ceasing,

Until we both find relief

I'll bare us sweet children, a testimony of our love

I'll make you a daddy

Oh what parents we'll become

When you are weak, you fail and you fall

I promise to count our blessing, forgive,

And be with you through it all

When life gets hard, and love is tough

I'll point us to Jesus

He's always be enough

When we get old and have wrinkles from laughter

It's you I will hold

And always look after

And when death do us part, and that day will come

I'll be waiting for you with anticipation,

In the arms of our Love

She covers all the bases. Let's embody these traits. We CAN be powerful women when we follow God's intentional formula. We CAN be what Godly men in this world need and are searching for!