Encouragement

---

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. 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. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.Proverbs 31:10-12; 28-31

Those who have known me for a while, know that I often sing the praises of my precious wife. If you get tired of reading about how amazing she is, well, let me just go ahead and tell you, it will NEVER end. First and foremost, it’s simply the truth. Second, isn't that exactly what we read about in the Proverbs 31 verses above? Doesn't it say a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised, and aren't we to honor her for all that her hands have made, and let her works bring her praise; and shouldn't it be the husband’s/boyfriends of these amazing women out front, with the bullhorn, singing their praises?

Listen, I am so extremely proud of my precious wife. She inspires me everyday. For 1,202 days she has been locked in battle with this horrible disease called cancer. She has been through 4 surgeries, lost her hair twice, and now undergoing chemo for the 4th time. Yet, she just keeps on pressing forward, ALWAYS praising her God, patiently waiting for that day when VICTORY is proclaimed once and for all.

I think for me, it was the first time I had to shave off all her hair, that I saw the warrior within emerge. Her beautiful red hair had always been her trademark. But, she bravely sat there watching me watch her. For the first time in our 22 years together (at that time), I was seeing her in a completely different light. I didn't see this quiet, soft spoken woman I had always known. I saw a warrior, ready to fight for her life. And you know what; as I was standing in front of her, looking at her completely bald, she was more radiant, more beautiful than ever before. Her beautiful brown eyes were full of hope and determination, and I could care less about that trademark red hair. I was looking into the eyes of a Proverbs 31 Woman of God, who was about to show the world, through her life, what an amazing God we serve.

Fast forward to today, and that woman I so admiringly saw as so strong back then, has only gotten stronger. With each battle the Lord has brought her through, her faith has grown, and my love and adoration for her has grown stronger and stronger. She is still having a hard time from this last round of chemo. Brutal almost does not sound harsh enough for what she has endured these last several weeks. But if there is one thing I am sure of, our God will prevail.

Women are such a precious gift from the Lord, and meant to be treated like a princess, until the day they become some lucky mans queen. I have found that the more I love my wife, the more she shows love back to me. Isn't it funny how that works, go figure! Women were not put here to be our servants, they are here to be our help-mates, to be loved, honored and cherished as a special gift from the Lord. Once we understand that, everything else will just fall into place. I have seen so many long-term marriages fall apart lately, and these were “Christian” marriages. Where did the love go? I truly believe if we will simply come to God, with a sincere heart, He will show you how to find that love once again. Just ask Him to give you a love for them, because a love He gives is like no other. For over 3 years now God has given me a love for my wife, one like I have never known before. It’s not that I didn't love her the first 22 years of our marriage, but these last 3+ years have been at a different level of love. It’s a special love that God gave me to help her through these trying times we have been living. But this love is not exclusive to us, it is available to ALL of us. In fact, it is how love is meant to be within a marriage. John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” and man’s best friend should ALWAYS be his wife; and when you are married to your best friend in this world, life is simply amazing!

From my heart to yours!

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR