On Saturday at church, we had a bridal shower for one of our dear young ladies (she has such a heart to please God, bless her!) who will soon be married to one of our godly young men. So our pastor's wife set us married ladies on a task to come up with a verse or poem or something along the lines of imparting to the bride-to-be some lessons that we have learned on our marriage journey. We were to leave it to her as a keepsake.
I was thinking of a small gift that I could give her which could be some kind of object lesson of what qualities and characteristics a godly wife should posses. I came up with a plaster. lol! I gave her a whole box full tied up in a ribbon.
In thinking about all the design features of a plaster, I came up with the following list of what a godly wife can learn from a plaster. Here goes. Hope you enjoy it. :)
What a Godly Wife can learn from a Plaster.
1. A Plaster Protects
Proverbs 31:11-12 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
A Godly Wife protects her husband’s image and reputation by her behavior and actions.
The Example of Abigail:
1 Samuel 25:3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
Here we note the example of Abigail who did all she could to appease King David's wrath against her foolish husband Nabal. Her wise actions saved her husband's life and won the praise of David.
On another note, a Godly Wife also protects the home from any ungodly influences, both preemptively and actively. She helps to meet her husband’s every need so that he will not be in want.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
1 Corinthians 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
(Do I sound like the spokesperson for a certain notorious woman's club? ;p )
2. A Plaster is Medicated and is Antiseptic.
1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation (**not just speech but behaviour and actions) of the wives;
1 Corinthians 7:14-16 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
Though the above 2 sets of verses apply to a saved wife to an unsaved husband, we can learn that a Godly Wife can affect the spiritual health of her husband by her godly submission. I would double underline the word submission if I could. Not preaching or nagging or emotional blackmailing. *note to self
3. A Plaster is Stretchy
Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
This one verse doesn't explain it very well but if you look at the Proverbs 31 woman, she is an all rounder! She can assume many roles and take on many responsibilities and many different spheres. Consider: she is on top of managing the household's food, clothing- her children and servants have no lack. She does a home business. She can manage finances, buy and sell.. etc. etc.
A Godly Wife is flexible and well rounded and can stretch to meet any situation. She has learned to work with her hands and keeps learning new skills to expand her repertoire to better serve her household.... Not the boss at the workplace or the company. That's bible.
4. A Plaster is Skin Coloured
(Though I know these days, they have cute and loud coloured plasters for kids, little and big.)
Proverbs 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
1 Peter 3:1-4 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
A Godly Wife is discreet and blends into the background, not seeking glory of her own but the glory of her husband. In turn, his glory will be her glory and praise as well. How beautiful is that? :)
5. A Plaster is Sticky
Ephesians 5:31-32 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
A Godly Wife is a faithful, covenant wife. She has thrown her lot in together with her husband, through thick or thin.
I'd like to throw in this little tidbit about what I learned about the difference between a contract and a covenant. A Contract is nullified when one party does not uphold their part of the deal. A Covenant still stands even when one party doesn't uphold their part of the deal.
A Christian marriage is a covenant and not a contract. And God is a covenant keeping God.
6. A Plaster is pretty Tough and Durable
Proverbs 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
A Godly Wife is spiritually, emotionally, and even physically tough to handle the rigors of the day and every trial that she may encounter. By the grace of God she will overcome and have the victory.
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There was another item I wanted to add in for the bridal shower but it's not a "common" use of plasters so I didn't. But after a good laugh with a dear sister, sister V, I decided to include this one.
7. A Plaster can come in handy to Plaster the Mouth
As in when the Godly Wife has moments of, erm, how shall I put it.... disagreement with her husband. :p This is possibly a sub-point under point no. 5.
James 3:5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Psalms 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
Proverbs 27:15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
LOL!