Striving to Become a Wife of Noble Character: Character

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Character

It must be something that God is wanting me to focus on right now. My character as a wife, a mom, and a child of God. And my children's character, and the job of raising them to love God. Today in Sunday school, one of the passages we read was in Luke 16. The story of the rich man and Lazarus and how when they died, Lazarus was by Abraham's side, and the rich man called up to them and said "have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue..." One thing our teacher today asked, was "How did Lazarus and the rich man know that it was Abraham by Lazarus' side?" Abraham had died hundreds of years earlier. They had obviously never met him, so how did they know it was him. It was by his character.
Maybe I'm vain, but I don't want to be considered an ugly person. I like it when I get dressed up, have my hair and make-up done and Rob looks at me and says, "You are so beautiful." It makes me feel good. But I know that it is far more important to be beautiful on the inside. Did you ever see the movie "Shallow Hal" with Gweneth Paltrow and Jack Black? If not, I'll give a quick summary. Jack's character is shallow, and will only date women who are tall, thin, and gorgeous women. I don't remember how this happens, but something happens to him, and he starts seeing women according to their inner beauty. I'll try to keep it short, but basically, he falls for a woman who is very large and "unattractive," but since he only sees her by her inner beauty, he thinks she's a supermodel. Thinking of that movie made me wonder what my character says about me. If others saw me only by my character, if God sees me only by my character, what would they see? What would Rob see? What would my kids see? I hope that the larger portion of the time, my character would be beautiful, but I know there are definitely days, where my character would look much more like I do on those far to often days where I'm lucky to get my teeth brushed, let alone have my hair and make-up done.

1 comment:

ChristinaAugust 30, 2010 at 6:26 PM
I think you have a beautiful inner character.
Very sweet and loving. I have enjoyed getting to
know you during vbs and nursery times. I am also thinking about character and I am definatly lacking. We are sometimes our toughest critics.
But we do have a great example with this proverbs 31. I am finally @40 wanting to be more like her. I wonder if its too late, as I am who I am. More reason to do it. Be like Jesus. May we both attain that.
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Proverbs 31: 10-31 Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.