thankful

Who can find a virtuous wife?  For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;  So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good & not evil all the days of her life.
She seeks wool & flax, and willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field & buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself;  Her clothing is fine linen & purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments & sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength & honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up & call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful & beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31


What a beautiful section of scripture talking about wives & mothers!  Before I became a mom & a wife, I was so naive about what those roles exactly meant.  I thought I knew everything there was about marriage & children!  I gave advice to many friends with husbands and/or kids, thinking I was an expert just because I nannied & had dated.  I am so sorry to all those who received my 'advice'...  I knew nothing!  

Now that it is my turn being a wife & a mother, I admire & look up to my own mom.
Words cannot express how thankful I am for my mom.  She raised three daughters (which I know was probably very hard) & taught us the ways of the Lord.  How blessed we were to grow up in a loving, God fearing home!  Thank you mom for your support & encouragement.  Thank you for reading the bible to us.  Thank you for helping me with my homework when I was in school.  Thank you for helping me plan my wedding.  Thank you for being a wonderful, helpful mother & grandma!  We love you so very much!

I also want to thank my mother-in-law for raising a kind & gentle son.  She raised four kids & she should be very proud!  God used her to help instill the character that Matt has today.  For that, I am thankful!  Thank you for opening your home to us & for all those delicious meals ;)  Oliver is blessed to have you as his grandma & we cannot wait to see you soon!  We love you!

When I look at my own son, I never want to take the life the Lord has given to me for granted.  How blessed & fortunate I am to have been given the opportunity to help raise a little child for the Lord!  I need to remember to put away the phone & the many distractions & just focus on my family & all the little day to day blessings :) 

Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful women!