Valentine's Day

It will be Valentine's Day in twenty-two minutes, a day to celebrate the Lord's goodness in providing some of his children wives.

All (three) of you who might read this know my wife, Maggie. She is wonderful in every way: beautiful, funny, intelligent, sweet, thoughtful, compassionate, kind-hearted, diligent, patient, godly, self-controlled, a good listener, a good talker, faithful... in a word, lovely. Often, on these sorts of occasions, I (like others) read over Proverbs 31. Two things jumped out at me this time.

1. "The heart of her husband trusts in her." (31:11) I am at peace when my wife is near me. Sometimes husbands can be characterized as helpless. I'll be the first to admit that, without her, that's often how I feel. Why, though? Because we trust our wives more than anyone else. My wife cares for me with the utmost detail, serving me day-in and day-out without thought to herself. There's never a taste of bitterness in her service, only love and patience. That kind of wife encourages trust. My heart trusts in her.

2. "Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land." (31:23) I am noteworthy because of Maggie's excellence as a wife and woman. I imagine many conversations at church and elsewhere go something like this: "Who's Dave Ainsworth?" "You know, he's Maggie's husband." "Oh yeah?.. I love her!" People notice how great Maggie is and, in God's mercy, they notice me by association. The epitome of service and submission, her excellence redounds to my glory. May I be so humble.

This post is my small, feeble attempt to be faithful and honest and, after over 2 1/2 years of faithfulness, ensure that "her works praise her in the gates." (31:31)