Proverbs 12

Both verses 4 and 9 had practical applications for marriage in my eyes.

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones."

"Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than to pretend to be somebody and have no food."

First, verse 4 although it talks about Susan, I think still starts with me. In Men's Fraternity at church we have talked many times about men's roles in marriage. One of which is that it's a man's responsibility to be an initiator (in all sorts of matters). And so although verse 4 talks about the role of a wife, I still believe that it first has to start with me. I have to be fulfilling my roles first, and with God's grace then, she'll feel natural to fulfill the roles that God has laid out for her, in this case, to have noble character. So really it's on me to be on my game and to not give excuses if there are parts of our relationship that are not peachy.

I also think that verse 9 is extremely practical as I try to fulfill my role as the head of our financial matters. I'm aware of all the pressures today to have all the "things"; house, car, cell phone, etc. But this verse is warning me about financial prudence as well in making those choices. It means that I should be grateful for any house and car and not necessarily the most beautiful ones. I trust the Lord in my financial matters and I know that if I maintain prudence that he will always make sure that Susan and I are taken care of in basic needs. But it still lies on me not to squander money chasing fruitless gains.

-Bob