THE GREATEST BLESSING

Many times, as I sit down to spend time in the Bible, I don't really have a plan. I ask God to take me to a passage that's relevant and current for me. As I opened my Bible last night, I found he'd once again given me a special blessing.

This time, the message was not at all something I would have expected. In fact, it wasn't really anything I didn't already know. Instead, I think he just wanted to remind me, and for me to remind Karen, of what a special blessing she is in my life.

The chapter I opened up to was Proverbs 31. The passage below is a bit of a mixture of what is written in the NIV Bible and The Message, with a few of my own thoughts/translations thrown in. While some would argue that I have tainted "the Word", I feel that I have stayed consistent with the meaning of the passage, while at the same time describing how wonderfully I've been blessed with Karen.

PROVERBS 31:10-31

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.

Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.

She works diligently, all throughout the day,
to insure that all of his domestic needs are met.

She is up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.

She shows sound judgement,
as she plans for her family's future.

She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She is skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.

She is quick to assist anyone in need,
she reaches out to those that are poor in spirit.

She doesn't worry about the weather outside,
for she has insured her family will be properly clothed.

When there is time to spare,
she does all she can to contibute to the family's finances.

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 of the bread of idleness.

Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise.

Many women have done noble things,
but Karen surpasses them all!

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting (except in Karen);
but a woman that fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, O Lord,
may her life be filled with blessing!!!!