Since When Does the Role of Wife Include Victim?

^{Since When Does the Role of Wife Include Victim?} 

^{Proverbs 31: 10-31}

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find? 

   She is worth far more than rubies. 

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her 

   and lacks nothing of value. 

¹² She brings him good, not harm, 

   all the days of her life. 

¹³ She selects wool and flax 

   and works with eager hands. 

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, 

   bringing her food from afar. 

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night; 

   she provides food for her family 

   and portions for her female servants. 

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; 

   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously; 

   her arms are strong for her tasks. 

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable, 

   and her lamp does not go out at night. 

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff 

   and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor 

   and extends her hands to the needy. 

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household; 

   for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 

²² She makes coverings for her bed; 

   she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate, 

   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, 

   and supplies the merchants with sashes. 

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; 

   she can laugh at the days to come. 

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom, 

   and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household 

   and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed; 

   her husband also, and he praises her: 

²⁹ “Many women do noble things, 

   but you surpass them all.” 

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; 

   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 

³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done, 

   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

A growing trend I have noticed among housewives, especially military wives, is the victim mentality. I have mentioned in a previous post that I do believe that the stay-at-home mom and house wife, works incredibly hard and often the work goes unappreciated. We clean, organize and fix disasters that occur all day long and an outsider walking in would have no way of knowing all that has been accomplished. That being said, where to we get off whining about how hard we have it. 

I'm sure that there are some housewives who really never wanted to stay home, but most of us signed up for this life. I truly love being home to guide my son as he grows, and being able to serve my husband. It is very tempting to tell people about how hard my life is or how my husband is never home to help. Looking at Proverbs 31 (what I consider the standard for women), I don't see anything in there about: whining, complaining, or any other victim traits. 

The verse that stands out to me is 11, "Her husband has full confidence in her 

   and lacks nothing of value." I interpret that as, the husband may not compliment and notice every single thing she does, but he knows she is busy all day and he can depend on her to get the job done. 

I do not believe there is perfection this side of heaven, so why strive for something we can never        be. I do however, strive to be reliable for my husband. I may have a laundry pile sky high of: towels, my clothes and my sons clothes, but I make sure my husband always has a clean uniform. I may not make a gourmet meal every night, if fact we eat eggs multiple times a week, but there is always a hot meal. 

I know it is not always easy, but I want to challenge myself and you, to resist the urge to complain, putting further burden on our husbands, and instead pursue a life that serves our family  to such a degree that our husbands and children have complete faith in us.