A Classic woman desires a life that’s a work of art ~ something of exceeding value.
And she’s willing to invest herself fully in achieving it.

Today’s thoughts center on Proverbs 31:11
The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, so that he has no need of spoil.

One of the pillars of this woman’s life is her relationship with her man.
As far as he’s concerned his heart is safe with her.
He’s found a place of security and shelter in his wife.
To him, she is home.

Do you have a son?
What kind of wife do you want for him?
Remember this chapter begins, “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him”.

The most important trait any mother wants in her son’s wife is loyalty, faithfulness.
Not just sexual fidelity, but a bedrock loyalty to the man and the marriage.

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.
Albert Einstein

My husband is a pastor. Over the years he’s done a lot of pre-marital counseling.
He loves to remind the star struck young love birds that, “You have to die to get out of this”.

God said the two were to become one flesh.
That’s what God had in mind when He instituted marriage.
That Hebrew word means to be joined together as with glue so that separation is impossible without the result being complete ruin.

And oh yes, God’s design also included sex.
More about that here:
https://kellyjgrace.com/2013/09/19/sex-super-glue-for-your-marriage/

The second part of our verse centers on the economic aspect of their life together.
In marrying this woman her husband joyfully discovered that she’s not a financial liability.
She isn’t a woman who thought to find ease and leisure in marriage.
Having entered into a life partnership, she has every intention of contributing.

If we want to experience the rich satisfying experience God intended for us in marriage we have to pay attention to the details.

How can we use these two truths to enrich and strengthen our marriages?

How can we show our husbands that their hearts can safely trust in us?

What can we do to contribute economically to the stability of our families?

~Suggestions~
Remember loyalty whenever we think about our husbands.
Be on his side.
Support him in every way we can.
Don’t entertain negative thoughts about him and don’t say negative things about him.
The things we allow ourselves to think and say create a reality in our hearts.
Little by little these mini-assaults damage our feelings of attachments and bond.
On the other had, what response do we see in our husbands when they know they have our love and acceptance?

Evaluate our own contribution to the marriage and family.
This goes beyond just finances, but it certainly includes them.
Let’s practice contentment.
We all seem to complain of too much stuff.
How’d it all get into our homes?
Small measures can add up.
Have we let food go to waste?
Are all the cable channels really necessary?
How often are we eating out instead of cooking at home?

What suggestions can you offer?
Maybe you know a Proverbs 31 woman.
In what ways is she demonstrating one or both of these traits?
How do you think your husband feels about your loyalty and partnership?

Tomorrow we’ll talk about the clarity that comes from having a singular purpose.