Preparing to Be a Good Wife ~ and a Titus 2sday Link Up!

Young women who devote themselves to the Lord

prepare themselves for the future by gaining

wisdom first, then stepping carefully

when the time is right.





Dear Darlene,



I have a question and I think you might be able to help. I am a rising college senior, and over the summer, God has placed a desire in my heart to prepare to become the best Christian wife possible. I've felt this call before, but I've put it aside (as sinners like me often do!).



Though I have never been in a serious relationship, and am content in my singleness at the moment, I find this special burden to be very daunting yet exciting! However, I'm not sure how to prepare since marriage seems so far away from me at the moment. I know this is a tall request, but what do you suggest?

Sincerely,



Preparing to Be the Best Wife





Dear Preparing,



Let's start by taking a look at 1 Corinthians 7:32-35:

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.

What we see from this verse is that once you are married, your interests will include meeting the needs of your husband. And all moms know from experience that once children come into the picture, our interests are even more so divided. There will be days when you barely have time for a shower.

Your aim at the present time should be that of devoting your life to the Lord.



Most young women asking this question are looking for practical advice like coupon clipping, baking pies, budgeting and housekeeping. But the truth is that your focus needs to be on the Lord at this time. Homemaking takes a far second place and there is plenty of time for that later.



You might wonder why I'm taking this angle, and I'll tell you that there's a very good reason for it. Young adults are the ones making the most important decisions of their lives. In fact between the ages of 18-25 a large percentage of men and women have already chosen their career, their spouse, and decided on whether or not they'll have children--if they haven't started a family already.



These decisions can be damaging in the long run if they aren't grounded by faith and wisdom. Many young adults are rushing into things as they follow the desires of their heart without considering God's plan for their lives.



Young women who devote themselves to the Lord prepare themselves for the future by gaining wisdom first, then stepping carefully when the time is right.



Wisdom comes from the word of God, understanding is the application of that wisdom. If you want to be a blessing both to God and to your future husband, get wisdom.

How do we get wisdom? James 1:5 tells us to ask God for it, but there are also other ways to seek it. Colossians 2:3 tells us that all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in the mystery of Christ. And how do we learn about Christ? We do so by studying the Bible and allowing the Spirit of God to move in our lives.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. ~ Proverbs 3:13-18

Read more "Brides in Training" articles: Click here

You are loved by an almighty God,



Darlene



For comments or questions, contact me at:

darlene[at]darleneschacht.net



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The Wisdom of Abigail

I’ve been reading much about wisdom these days. It’s mentioned about 45 times (depending on the version) in the book of Proverbs alone.

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
~ Proverbs 4:5-7, NIV

When God sends a message that clearly, I sit up and take note. “What now, Lord?” I ponder. “How can I apply wisdom to my ministry?” (That ministry being the noble wife of my husband, a leader of four children and keeper of our home).

Looking to the Greek translation for clarification on wisdom, we find “sophia,” which is why we see words like philosophy, a combination of “philo” (brotherly love) and “sofia.” The shortened version of the word (wise) can be found in sophisticated and sophomore. Ever wonder why some teeth are called “wisdom teeth?” It’s because we get them at the onset of maturity.

Dictionary.com defines wisdom this way: Knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity [level headedness], discernment, or insight.

Throughout scripture, wisdom and understanding are found hand in hand. Wisdom is the fear of the Lord, while understanding is that wisdom in practice.

“How can I apply wisdom to my ministry, Lord?”

In silent reverence I wait until I feel His guidance lead through a whisper, “Seek me until My truth is living, moving, and breathing in your home; until the righteousness of my Word is coupled with each step you take; and until My wisdom exceeds your desire. That’s what you’re called to do.”

Looking to His word for example I find Abigail in 1 Samuel chapter 25. Abigail was the wife of Nabal, and while she was a woman of good understanding and beauty, the Bible describes him as churlish. In other words, he was rude, impolite, hot-headed and lacked the wisdom his wife had.

In verses 7 and 16 we see that David had protected Nabal’s shepherds and was now asking for a reasonable favor in return: that Nabal would give them provisions when they arrived.

Nabal was rich, and so it certainly wouldn’t have been any trouble for him to comply, but instead of being wise and generous, he chose to be rude, which only provoked David to fight.

Gathering an army of 400 men, David set out to destroy Nabal’s household, and had it not been for the wisdom of one woman he would have.

Recognizing that David was a servant of the Lord, Abigail sent a generous gift to David, and with that gift she humbled herself at his feet pleading for the life of her husband. She didn’t deny that Nabal was ill-mannered or rude, but she sought grace on his behalf.

In this beautiful love story, we see that David granted her that grace, and within ten days God took the life of Nabal, and rewarded Abigail with her freedom.

Where did that freedom lead her? Into the arms of David, a valiant soldier and soon-to-be king.

Through Abigail’s example, we see the cycle of wisdom in action:

• She realized that David was a holy man and what his God was capable of.
  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)
  
  
• She avoided conflict.
  “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” (Proverbs 14:16)
  
  
• She worked quietly to resolve the problem.
  “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” (Proverbs 29:11)
  
  
• She put her understanding into action and offered a gift to David.
  “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.” (Proverbs 10:5)
  
  
• She reaped the rewards that come to those who are wise, when she became David’s wife.
  “The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” (Proverbs 3:35)

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net

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