Sometimes I feel like a good wife. Sometimes I feel like a terrible wife.

"House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.” -Proverbs 19:14

Sometimes I feel like a pretty good wife; sometimes I feel like a pretty terrible wife. But the objective of marriage is not simply to be comfortable with my feelings- it is to glorify God. So even if I’m behind on ALL the housework and ALL the things, (like I have been this week…it’s been horrendous) as long as I am responsibly maintaining my relationship with God and my husband, it’s a successful week as a wife.
I honor God by honoring my husband, and there are lots of ways to honor my husband even when the apartment is in utter shambles- which it definitely is.
Taking an interest in Arthur’s work, encouraging him in his ministry, expressing my thankfulness and pride for his dependence on the Holy Spirit, trusting him with my emotions (even the ugly, scary ones!)- all of these things honor Arthur and the important role God has given him in my life. All of these things are worthwhile, and yes, more important than doing the dishes. Which is good news for me, because up until yesterday, every surface in our kitchen was stacked with dirty dishes. (Seriously, it looked a scene from a household-cleaning-based horror film.)
I am so thankful and so blessed that my husband reminds me to have a proper view of my role as a wife, as I so often get caught up and discouraged by the tasks I have failed to complete. Arthur’s expectation that I love God, love him, and love our baby- in that order- seems too easy, and I sometimes think that it is not enough, and that I am not proving myself as a wife or as a woman…and yet that desire to “prove” myself is selfishly motivated.
Instead, Lord, please help me to keep my focus always on YOU, and what YOU have accomplished in and through this marriage!
It is, after all, all for His glory anyways.

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