A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Happiest of birthdays. . .

…to the woman who lets me call her mom; who loves me like I’m her own; who shares her time and energy and resources with me; who helped birth both of my children; who selflessly mentors a younger generation; who is purposefully leaving a legacy of the fear of the Lord; who sees and calls out the things that need to be seen and called out…

…to the woman that forgives freely and laughs easily and hugs tightly and speaks authoritatively (in a good way, oh yes) and loves unabashedly…

…to a discerner, prophecier, encourager, cheerleader, nurturer and creator extraordinaire!

Yes, happiest of days to YOU!  I pray the Lord blesses you with immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine!  I pray that He bestows upon you a NEW thing…that He would make rivers in the desert and a way in the wilderness for you.  I pray that He would give you a crown of beauty for your ashes, a joyous blessing for your mourning, and festive praise instead of despair…that this would be the year He is most glorified in you.

I love you dearly, mom-a-la!  I hope today is sunny and warm; that you have a most excellent hair day; that your tomato plants are bent over with a harvest of deliciousness; that the Partridge Family Sawyer serenades you and that your family spoils you rotten – you deserve all of that and so much more.