VIRTUOUS WIFE!

“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10).

God’s will and wish is that you should lead a virtuous life. Virtuous women bring glory to the family, church and the Name of God. May be, you might not be virtuous so far but God wishes to turn you virtuous now. Praying for the family standing in the gap, reading the Scripture, reverence, prayer and fearing God will turn you virtuous.

In the Scripture, we find a husband himself witnessing his wife as virtuous. “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all” (Proverbs 31:29). In the same way, while lauding Ruth, Boaz said, “….all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman” (Ruth 3:11). See, not only her husband but all the people in the town render witness that she was virtuous. 

A virtuous woman is priceless. While finalising alliances for marriages, the people from the bridegroom’s side are more particular about the quantum of dowry and jewels from the bride. The virtuousness in a woman is mostly ignored. But, according to the Scripture, the value of a virtuous woman is much more than that of the precious pearls. It is very well known that pearls are very costly and precious. So, when you consider a virtuous woman, she has to be valued like how you will value the pearls. 

How does the pearl acquire beauty and value? When a speck of tiny dust or mud gets into an oyster, the oyster excretes some sort of paste-like thing and covers the mud with it. When the paste-like thing covers the mud, it begins to grow into a pearl and later begins to glow. In the same way, the sorrows, sufferings and distresses make a virtuous woman greater and greater. With her sweet nature, she hides her sorrows, does not mind the sufferings but keeps on revealing the fruits of the Spirit. In the end, she turns into a pearl. 

People like a wicked husband, tyrannical relatives, falsely accusing mother-in-law and the officials who mercilessly make you work hard in your office may keep piercing your heart. Do not get distressed during such situations. Always keep in remembrance that you are a virtuous woman and you are more precious than the pearls. 

If a perfume is to be prepared, the rose flowers inevitably are to be squeezed. Just like that, if you want to turn into a virtuous woman, it is inevitable that you have to cross through the path of suffering.        

To meditate: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).