About 7 years ago, I was reading Proverbs 31 and one verse stood out among all the others. “She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.” (Pr. 31:12). I couldn’t believe that I’d read the Virtuous Woman passage so many times and never once noticed what that verse said… or rather, what it didn’t say.
Is it, “all the days of her married life?” No.
Is it, “all the days once they’re engaged?” No.
Is it, “all the days once they meet?” No.
I realize this sounds radical, but I made a commitment that day to do my husband good, and not harm, even though I had never met him!
Have I failed at “doing him good” at times? Yes, of course. However, the commitment has definitely come to mind when certain decisions were put in front of me, and I had to make a choice. These choices have not always revolved around relationships, as you might assume, although that is definitely of great importance.
If you are single, and hope to be married someday, take a few minutes every now and then to evaluate if you are “doing him good, and not harm,” by asking yourself these types of stewardship questions:
- Am I doing my husband good with my spending and saving habits?
- Am I doing my husband good in my work (both outside and inside the home)?
- Am I doing my husband good in my friendships and dating relationships?
- Am I doing my husband good with the way I use my free time?
- Am I doing my husband good with the way I treat my body (food and exercise)?
Ultimately, we should be most concerned with honoring the Lord. Yet, over time, I’m discovering that honoring my future husband is honoring the Lord. I believe it puts a beaming smile on our Father’s face when we live our lives in this upright manner. It is, after all, one of the characteristics of a virtuous woman.
I think our husbands will cherish it too, don’t you think?
