Gail-Friends: wife

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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Wisdom Wednesday #27 - Shalom In The Home

שלום

Shalom ( שלום ) is a Hebrew word that has several meanings. It can mean hello or goodbye, and it also means peace.

My husband and I pursue peace in our home by keeping an atmosphere of kindness, patience, tolerance and love. Yes, there are times we get on each other's nerves, especially since we are both retired now, but we work at keeping peace a priority.

I was talking with a young married woman recently who asked how I cope with my husband not following through on projects or not picking up after himself. I told her this: I pray about it first, sometimes for days. Then I pick a time where I know we can totally focus on each other without distractions. I tell him what is bothering me, and he always responds with love and care. He apologizes and takes action to correct the problem. I do the same for him.

Now, does he ever forget that conversation and do the same thing again? If it is a major issue, no, he does not. If it's a minor issue such as piling up papers on his desk or leaving his shoes in the living room, yes, he sometimes does. That's when I say to myself, "How important is it?" When I compare this thing to all the other things he does for me, is it really that important? Most times, it's not and I just let it go. It's just not worth harping or nagging about it. It destroys my heart peace and my home peace. I just pick up his shoes and remind myself that he always opens the door for me, or that he makes coffee for me every morning, or he washes the dishes for me. His good qualities far outweigh the little things he forgets sometimes.

I make the choice daily to be thankful for my husband's many virtues. He does the same for me. We also speak of our love and admiration for each other daily. This goes a long way to create peace in our home.

When I focus on those things, the other irritations become trivial, and peace reigns in my heart and in our home. I also like to remind myself of this verse to remind myself not to nag:

A continual dropping in a very rainy day

and a contentious woman are alike. (Proverbs 27:15)

Next week, I'll share more about shalom. I'd love to hear how you pursue peace in your home and marriage.

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I'm linking up today with:
Spiritual Sunday

The Gathering Spot Link-Up

All Things Bright and Beautiful Link-Up

Modest Mom Monday Link-up

Growing Homemakers Link-Up

Titus 2 Tuesday

Tuesdays with a Twist

A Hope in Every Season Homemaking Link-Up
Wordless Wednesdays

Winsome Wednesday

A Wise Woman Builds
Whole Hearted Wednesday
Wake Up Wednesday
Whimsical Wednesday

Hearts for Home
Favorite Things

Fab Creative Friday
Friendship Friday
Freedom Friday

Thursday, October 31, 2013

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 31 - A Virtuous Woman

Our dear friend, Barbara, who makes the challah for us each Sabbath

Doesn't Barbara look like the perfect Proverbs 31 woman? (Kind of reminds you of Martha Stewart, right?) She is a very good example of a what the chapter talks about. She loves the L-rd, her family, and her neighbors...plus she has her own business on top of all that.

My favorite chapter of Proverbs ends this 31-day series. Proverbs 31 describes a capable wife. There is so much in this chapter, but this part is my focus for today:

ע ²⁵Clothed with strength and dignity,
        she can laugh at the days to come.
פ ²⁶When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely;
        on her tongue is loving instruction.
צ ²⁷She watches how things go in her house,
        not eating the bread of idleness.

ק ²⁸Her children arise; they make her happy;
her husband too, as he praises her:
ר ²⁹“Many women have done wonderful things,
but you surpass them all!”

ש ³⁰Charm can lie, beauty can vanish,
but a woman who fears Adonai should be praised.
ת ³¹Give her a share in what she produces;
let her works speak her praises at the city gates.

As a young woman in my twenties, I attended a workshop about this chapter. All the things a wife should do for her home, husband, children, and community seemed overwhelming at first, but since that day, I have aspired to become this kind of woman.

A year ago, I lost a dear friend, who I think was the epitomy of the Proverbs 31 woman. I still can't think of her without crying. She was a joy and an inspiration to everyone who knew her. We were kindred spirits in the desire of our hearts. This is her quote: "I am very focused... on my home and family...children and grandchildren. The desire of my heart is multi-generational faithfulness to G-d, that they would know Him and walk in His ways." ~clb. The words on her grave are her legacy:

Every morning when I wake up, my husband says, "Good morning, gorgeous!" I love that he thinks I'm beautiful, but as verse thirty says, "beauty can vanish". I know that the most important thing is to fear ADONAI (obey Him). My prayer is that I would be remembered, not for my beauty, but for my life lived for His glory. Like my friend, Cheryl, I also pray for future generations to follow Him.

If you've never read this chapter, I pray you will study it verse by verse and think about whether or not you are doing what the verse describes.

Next week, in my Wisdom Wednesday feature, I will do a more in-depth explanation of how the chapter can guide us in today's world.

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Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible
Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me. This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too. I'll share what stands out to me for that day.

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading.
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester

This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism.

I will be posting daily through October 31. To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".
^^^

I'm sharing this post with:
Spiritual Sundays