A Crowning Jewel

I found this as I was cleaning out an old folder - it originally came from here.

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A Crowning Jewel

 

Where do you fit in with your husband? You may have read the famous quote of Matthew Henry on the creation of woman, "The woman was made out of a rib out of the side of Adam, not made from his head to rule over him, nor from his feet to be trampled upon, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved."

 

The Word of God also tells us in I Corinthians 11:7 that the "woman is the glory of the man." As the glory of man, she is also a crown to honor her husband.

 

Proverbs 12:4 says, "A virtous woman is a crwon to her husband; but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones." I love the amplified version which says, "A virtious and worthy wife - earnest and strong ain character- is a crowning joy to her husband."

 

Isn't interesting that God says a virtous woman is a crown? She is not to be trodden underfoot. She is not to be looked down upon. She is not to be inferior. She is a crown.  A crown is worn upon the head. A crown is something that is dazzlingly beautiful. It is usually made of gold and ornamented with precious gems. It is a token of honor.

 

Noah Webster's 1928 dictionary says: 'To crown' means to invest with royality. To bestow something  upon as a mark of honor or diginity; to adorn, dignify, also to award first rank.

 

Point five of 'to crown' in Webster's says, "Anything which imparts beauty, splendor, honor or finish; also the highest state or quality of anything." And on this point he quotes Proverbs 12:4

 

A virtuous woman adds distinction and dignity to her husband. He is proud to wear her. He wants to show her off. He praises her before others.

 

When she honors him as king of her home, he will rise to kingly heights in his manhood. When she awards him 'first rank' he becomes free to to reach his full potential and is inspired to do things he never thought possible. He will treat his wife like a Queen with dignity and respect.

 

Have you crowned your husband? The more richly you crown him the more you will be blessed.

 

What does the crown look like with which you adorn your husband? Does it look tarnished and strange because many jewels are missing? Or is it filled with precious gems? What are some the gems that will make your husband proud to wear you as his crowns?

 

Is your crown decorated with diamonds of devotion, dedication, dignity and diligence that will delight his soul?

 

Have you set in sapphires that will shine and sparkle with a serving, sacrificial and submissive spirit? Are you sweet to him? Are you a strenght and support to his vision and goals in life? Are you sensitive to his needs? Are you steadfast in your loyality and commitment to your marriage?

 

Have you positioned pearls in your crown - pearls of patience, peace, perserverance and prayer for your husband?

 

Oh, don't forget the rubies, the rarest of all gems.  Is your crown radiating with rubies of reverence and respect for your husband?

 

Is your crown ornamented with opals of openness, obedience, overflowing love and the oil of joy?

 

Don't forget the emeralds that emanate esteem, earnest commitment, encouragement and endurance.

 

Adorn your crown with amethysts of admiration, affection, affirmation, approval, appreciation and attentiveness.

 

Just a minute!  You can't forget the crowning jewel of all - contentment!  This jewel adds luster to your crown. This jewel releases your husband from bondage and pressure. Sadly, it is often a missing jewel. It's easy to be content when you have everything you want. But can you be content with what your husband provides for you? I am always challenged by Psalms 128:3 (TLB) where is talks about the 'contented' wife in the home.

 

"If I do all this, he'll walk all over me," you say. "He'll become proud and he's already got a big enough head!" It doesn't work that way dear one. When you forget about yourself and seek to bless and serve your husband, you not only crown him with dignity and honor, but you truly become his crown. You won't be subservient. You'll be worn on his head as his most treasured possesion.

 

Why not start adding precious jewels to your crowns today?

 

NANCY CAMPBELL

 

PRAYER:
"Father God, I confess my sin to you of not crowning my husband.  I am so busy thinking of myself that I forget to crwon him with blessings. Help me to be a crwon upon his head that will cause him to shine for the glory of God and to 'sit in the gate of the city.' SHow me the jewels that you want me to add to his crown, Save me from doing things that will make him ashamed. Please help me, Lord. Amen.