I’m continuing my 31 Days Writing Challenge for the month of October. I desired to read and blog through the book of Sirach. For at least the next couple of days, I want to focus on the wisdom the book of Sirach contains for and about wives. Today, let’s consider a good wife: an intelligent wife.
A Good Wife: An Intelligent Wife
What would you consider a good wife? Someone who pleases her husband? A woman who maintains a Pinterest worthy home? Yes, yes and so much more. You know I love the Thesaurus, so I looked up “intelligent” in it and I was surprised by some of the synonyms: creative, original, rational, alert, all there, deep, ready…the list is extensive and very interesting.
“Happy the man of a creative wife.” This sentence definitely translates well considering Pinterest has made us all semi creative or at least think we are. But we don’t have to own a glue gun, stash burlap or use a Cricut to be creative. I think a much more creative endeavor is figuring out how to make a a delicious and nutritious meal with the lonely cans at the back of the pantry and the almost freezer burned cut of meat. Or how about pulling together Halloween costumes by raiding closets and drawers?
“Happy the man of original wife.” Not picking on Pinterest at all, but sometimes imitation which is supposed to be the greatest form of flattery just becomes redundant. An original wife can like polka dots even though chevron is all the rage. She doesn’t have to run to the salon for ombre hair–possible spending money she does not have–just to look like everyone else. She can wear plain ‘ol jeans and not fight to squeeze her middle age, grand multipara body into “Skinny jeans.”
“Happy the man of a rational wife.” A rational wife is a constant, steady blessing to her husband. He doesn’t have to wonder what time of the month it is because it doesn’t matter. His wife can or at least try to keep herself from being led by her emotions. She doesn’t accept every thought as truth or every whim as something to be done or had. She strives for balance and stability mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
“Happy the man of an all there wife.” Woman was created to be the helper of man, not the superhero of the Church potluck, homeless shelter or charity auction. Remember when we considered “Who is My Neighbor?” An all there wife is present for her husband. She’s not running here and there; her contentment is found at home and then she freely shares with others. She can’t rob her husband of herself to give it to others.
“Happy the man of a ready wife.” A ready wife is accessible to her husband. She is close at hand ready to share life with her husband. She is not put off by his needs because she has her own to take care first.
She does not sit around idly waiting, she anticipates not only her husband’s needs but her own as well. She does not need her husband to complete her, she’s already found that completion in Christ. She’s ready, willing and able to be a good wife, an intelligent wife.
Click here to read more posts about a good wife.
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Bekki@a better way to homeschool says
An “all there wife”…
So simple, yet such a challenge at times. It is so easy to become engrossed in homemaking, homeschooling, and ministry and to neglect my first ministry to bless, encourage, strengthen and help my husband. Thank you for sharing this. It challenged me once again to be “all there”.
Jenny says
Hi Bekka. I preach to my own choir of one when I write these posts. I need the reminder to be just as intentional to be all there as well.
Brittany @ Equipping Godly Women says
Great things to strive for! I’m good at some of these… others not so much!
Jenny says
And sometimes, doesn’t seem like if we manage one, the others suffer and vice versa? At least it does for me. I guess I won’t ever be completely perfect at all of them this side of heaven.
Jennifer says
You have painted a beautiful picture of what a wife should be Jenny! I will use this as an example to strive to become! Thanks for posting!!
[email protected] says
I think it’s profound that a good wife isn’t a wife who “does it all”, but rather lives peacefully with what she is given.
Jenny says
So beautifully summed up Laura. Thank you for that insight.
Jenny @ Women With Intention says
I like the rational wife :). I’m a no drama mama! Great points to think about when trying to be the best wife that God created me to be!
Jenny says
I avoid drama too! Yes, I have been pondering how these posts apply to myself as the wife God created me to be as well.
Tami says
I like the original wife best.
Jenny says
It was so interesting to me to replace interesting with a synonym. It helped me see the meaning clearer.
Lauren says
I really enjoyed this post. Definitely some things to think about, as I am neither a creative or a rational wife!!!
Jenny says
Ha Ha Lauren! We all have our moments don’t we?!
Theresa says
How Providential! I have been doing some reflection on being a more attentive wife…a less distracted wife. For too long I have been the distracted, inattentive wife and it’s high time to follow God’s Will for me as a wife…not just *Theresa’s* will.
Have a blessed week.
Jenny says
Good thoughts my friend. I think a melancholic tends to be more self focused, I know I am. It’s not that I ignore Chris’ needs, but I’m usually trying to get myself to a different place–a good place–mentally and he’s typically already there. I’m sure that makes sense to you.
Stacy @ Anastasia Vintage says
Visiting from Blog Love FB group 🙂 Great thoughts – these attributes remind me of the woman described in Proverbs 31.
Stacy @ Anastasia Vintage
Jenny says
Yes Stacy, I love how the book of Sirach and Proverbs contain so many similarities. They are nice to read in parallel.
Susan Shipe says
Causes me to think about Eve….the original wife. Someone asked me the other day, “So, who married Adam & Eve?” Selah.
Jenny says
Ah, Eve the original wife. She originated so much more than her own style didn’t she.
Renee says
This is so thoughtfully written. Love all these points – thinking especially about “original wife.” Thanks for sharing!
Jenny says
Others seem to have paused on the original wife as well. It is good to consider what kind of wife we are or trying to be.