Proverbs 31

I'm convinced that most men love this chapter...a lot. I get this picture in my mind of a man reading the words with a sly grin thinking "that's right, serve me woman!" And I will say, depending on our individual circumstance, it can be a challenging chapter for women to live by. God has placed it heavily on my heart lately. He really wants to hammer it home, so I'm going to let him challenge me with it. By the way, if you read it in The Message version, it's easier to digest.

It seems like we've been surrounded by failing marriages lately. I look at my own and thank God for it. Grant and I are not perfect, but we are good. We both work so hard to stay in tune with each other, making sure needs are being met and expectations are fulfilled. It has not been easy...we've had many late nights and lots of hard communication. However, God never ceases to remind me that we are not above brokenness. In fact, it would be foolish of me to see these struggling relationships around me, to weep and pray with my loved ones and for their marriages to be saved, but then to come home to Grant and to be a mediocre wife.

If I made a list of priorities today Grant would be at the top, right behind my relationship with the Lord. Why is it that we make a list of priorities but never actually fulfill most of them? I know I'm guilty of that. Anyway, he would be next in line even before my own daughter and the rest of my family. The first thing God said when He created the first woman is that she was made as a helpmate to her husband. He didn't say, "And behold ... I have created a mother." He said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18, NIV). Motherhood came along later, after the call of being a helpmate was established.

We have 3 weeks left until we will be a family of 3. Grant and I have discussed our roles and standards that we will stay true to, which I'm sure has the possibility of changing...and we will figure that out as we go. We do not expect it to always be easy. My daughter, unintentionally, could easily separate Grant and I, if we allowed it. If I chose to be a mom who cared for my daughter and fought for my daughter, but not for my marriage, it would create a wall in my marriage. Think about it. How many marriages do you know like that? The kids lives have come between the husband and the wife, creating feelings and strongholds that should never exist. I don't think Proverbs 31 is just about me taking care of Grant, our child, and our home. Grant and I have made the decision to be a team so when I'm down and out, he needs to fill in, and vice versa. I think, for me, entering into this new season, Proverbs 31 is a chapter of integrity and a reminder that I have a covenant with my husband, blessed by God. I will honor that and do my best to maintain the definition of marriage made by God.

I hope I accomplished, in some way, what God has laid on my heart. My thoughts have been so jumbled recently; I like to blame it on the "pregnant brain." My prayer is that our lives will reflect the scriptures and that our hearts and attitudes will stay aligned with God's. Yes, that is my prayer.

Love.